From left: Rear Admiral Ahmed; Rear Admiral Osijafor Rtd.; Prof Eghosa Osaghae; Dr. Bashir Jamoh; Rear Admiral HUF Koaje; Air Vice Marshal A.O Adole and Rear Admiral M.G Oamen during the National Conference on Maritime Security organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs NIIA in Lagos recently.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, has identified the roles to be played by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs NIIA, in the country’s bid to fully harness her Blue Economic potential.

Director General of the agency, Dr Bashir Jamoh, made this known while delivering a paper titled ‘Opportunities and Challenges in Harnessing the Blue Economy at a seminar organised by the NIIA with the theme ‘Safety, Security and Development in Nigeria’s Maritime Domain: Problems, Strategies and Prospects.

Jamoh, who noted that the institute is crucial to Nigeria fully harnessing the potential of the Blue Economy, however identified collaboration among all organs of government in Nigeria and the organised private sector as a major factor that will accelerate the harnessing of the Blue Economy in Nigeria. He cited the successes of the Deep Blue Security Project, which helped to drastically reduced piracy and other maritime crimes was hinged on collaboration across board.

“Our task at NIMASA is to explore how Nigeria can maximize the benefits derivable from our Blue Economy. This concept of Blue Economy which gained prominence some few years ago requires local, regional and international collaboration to manage critical factors. The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs should play a role in advising government on policies, which would facilitate the realisation of the Blue Economy.

“Just as in maritime security, the Deep Blue Project has shown that through co-operation and collaboration, great results can be achieved reason why I appreciate the participation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC and the Nigeria Customs Service as well as the Nigerian Navy”, the DG said.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the NIIA Prof Eghosa Osaghae, while speaking at the event, acknowledged the progress made in securing the Nigerian Maritime domain and the Gulf of Guinea, highlighted the importance of the Blue Economy globally while calling for sustainable use of ocean resources to be considered when shaping government policies.

In his words: “When considered in economic terms, the global Blue Economy would be the seventh largest in the world which highlights its importance. As such, sustainable use of the Blue Economy for economic growth should be at the core of any policy formulation by government’

The Nigeria Institute of International Affairs NIIA is Africa’s Foremost Foreign Policy Think Tank with the goal of assisting governments and societies in creating a world that is secure and prosperous.