By Danjuma Amodu | March 17, 2026
The Federal Government is set to partner with Admiralty Maritime Services to expand inland and coastal waterway usage, aiming to reduce transport costs and boost the economy.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Ministry’s Director, Information and Public Relations, Anastasia Ogbonna.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, revealed this during a meeting with the CEO of Admiralty Maritime Services Limited, Rear Admiral Muhsin Abba (Rtd), in Abuja.
Mahmood emphasized that optimizing Nigeria’s aquatic resources is key to lowering national logistics costs, noting that water transportation is significantly more affordable than road or rail.
She highlighted the ministry’s efforts under the policy direction of Honourable Minister Adegboyega Oyetola to realize President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of positioning Nigeria as a global maritime leader.
Mahmood also pointed out Nigeria’s success in maintaining piracy-free territorial waters for three consecutive years, crediting collaboration with international partners for safeguarding critical shipping routes in the Gulf of Guinea.
Rear Admiral Muhsin Abba (Rtd) identified operational hurdles limiting the efficiency of Nigeria’s maritime gateways, including underwater wrecks and the need for strategic dredging. He expressed his organization’s readiness to support the Ministry’s blue economy roadmap and unlock the sector’s full potential.
“Addressing these obstructions will improve navigational safety, increase vessel traffic, and streamline the coastal transportation of petroleum products and other essential cargoes,” Abba noted.
