The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for stronger coordinated security operations across Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways to safeguard the nation’s growing blue economy.
Oyetola made the call on Thursday in Abuja while receiving the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, who paid him a courtesy visit following his appointment.
The meeting focused on deepening institutional collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Nigeria Police Force, with both leaders highlighting the strategic importance of enhanced surveillance, intelligence sharing and joint enforcement operations along Nigeria’s marine and inland waterways.
Oyetola described Disu’s appointment as well deserved, expressing confidence in his capacity to strengthen the nation’s security architecture. He noted that beyond general security concerns, the maritime domain requires special operational attention due to its growing contribution to economic diversification, trade facilitation and job creation.
According to the minister, seamless inter-agency cooperation remains critical to protecting maritime assets and ensuring that the country’s waters remain safe and conducive to investment.
“The maritime sector holds enormous promise for economic diversification and employment generation,” Oyetola said. “However, to unlock its full potential, we must guarantee safety and order across our coastal and inland waterways through coordinated operations and effective collaboration among all relevant security agencies.”
He warned that illegal activities such as smuggling, piracy, oil theft and other transnational crimes threaten not only national security but also investor confidence in the blue economy.
In his remarks, IGP Disu assured the minister of the Police Force’s readiness to enhance operational support for maritime security initiatives. He said the Force would intensify intelligence-led policing, patrols and enforcement operations targeting criminal networks operating within Nigeria’s waterways.
Disu reaffirmed the commitment of the Police to work closely with ministries and agencies whose mandates intersect with national security and economic development, noting that maritime security is integral to national prosperity.
Both parties agreed to institutionalise regular strategic dialogue and operational coordination mechanisms aimed at improving surveillance coverage, rapid response capacity and information sharing among agencies operating in Nigeria’s marine and coastal environments.
