Delta to Ondo: GMA’s Ejiro Onakughotor, Traditional Rulers Endorse Nigeria’s Blue Economy Drive at Maiden Maritime Summit
From right to left: The President of Global Maritime Academy; the Governor of Ondo State, ably represented by the Special Senior Adviser to the Governor on Marine and Blue Economy, Engr. Aladenusi; the Chief of Staff to the Ondo State Government, Hon. Barrister Olusegun Omojuwa; and His Royal Majesty (Dr.) Philip Olatunji Kaleyaiye Akoledoye II, the Odede of Igboegunrin Kingdom.
The engagement focused on strategic collaboration between the coastal community and Global Maritime Academy, alongside other productive deliberations aimed at advancing the growth and sustainability of the Marine and Blue Economy.
By Tessy Ogbemi
The President and Founder of the Global Maritime Academy, Agbowhiame, Ughelli South LGA, Mr. Ejiro Dennis Onakughotor Fosha, alongside maritime experts, community leaders, top government officials, traditional rulers and industry stakeholders, converged on Igboegunrin Kingdom of Ondo State for the maiden Maritime Summit on Marine and Blue Economy, lending strong support to Nigeria’s drive to harness its vast marine and coastal resources for sustainable economic growth.
The landmark summit, held on February 28 in the coastal community of Igboegunrin, marked a decisive step by Ondo State toward positioning Nigeria’s coastal communities at the centre of national economic transformation, underscoring growing calls for massive investment in the blue economy and the full-scale implementation of the country’s marine and ocean-based development policies.
Speaking at the event, the Global Maritime Academy founder, Onakughotor described coastal communities as the heartbeat of Nigeria’s emerging ocean economy, stressing that sustainable national growth must be driven from the grassroots.
The summit, themed “The Marine and Blue Economy Policy and Its Implementation: The Game Changer to the Nigerian Economy,” brought together government representatives, royal fathers, industry players and community leaders to examine practical strategies for translating federal blue economy policies into tangible benefits for local populations.
Welcoming participants, Onakughotor said the gathering was more than a conference, describing it as a turning point for coastal development, economic diversification and inclusive growth. He noted that the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy signalled a deliberate shift from oil dependence toward a sustainable ocean economy, valued globally at over $1.5 trillion.
According to him, coastal communities such as Igboegunrin stand to benefit significantly through job creation, infrastructure development and expanded economic opportunities arising from the new policy direction. He cited Federal Government projections of creating three million jobs within four years across fisheries, aquaculture, shipping services, coastal tourism and maritime security.
Onakughotor urged youths in Igboegunrin Kingdom and other coastal areas to acquire relevant skills and position themselves to benefit from unfolding opportunities in the sector. He also highlighted planned investments in smart ports and the dredging of more than 2,000 kilometres of inland waterways, describing the host community as strategically located to evolve into a maritime transport and logistics hub.
Emphasising capacity development as the foundation of a successful blue economy, the Global Maritime Academy president unveiled a community-driven agenda that includes vocational training for local cadets and youths in marine engineering, shipping management, logistics and maritime security.
He further announced initiatives aimed at upskilling artisanal fishers through modern aquaculture practices, sustainable fishing methods and improved post-harvest handling, as well as coastal safety and surveillance training to enhance waterway security for trade, tourism and community peace.
Calling for collective responsibility, Onakughotor appealed to sons and daughters of Igboegunrin Kingdom, both at home and in the diaspora, to support the establishment of a Global Maritime Academy Vocational Centre in the community, noting that the centre would serve as a hub for skills acquisition, youth empowerment and long-term economic transformation.
The summit also outlined a sustainable development roadmap focused on integrated coastal management, digital inclusion through port automation and marine technologies, and community-owned eco-tourism designed to preserve culture while creating direct income for local households. As part of its social impact initiatives, the academy announced scholarships for deserving students from the Igboegunrin Kingdom to access maritime education and vocational training.
Dignitaries at the event included the Ondo State Governor, represented by the Senior Special Assistant on Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Olugbemiro Aladenusi; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Oluwasegun Omojuwa; and the royal host, Phillip Olatunji Kalejaye.
Other traditional rulers in attendance included, HRM. Michael Oluwagbemi Sewo, Olatunji Fayemi, and Pere Godwin Akpoke Oklubala Aboyewa, alongside several other monarchs from coastal communities.
Discussions at the summit centred on strategic collaboration between the Igboegunrin coastal community and the Global Maritime Academy, as well as broader policy-driven initiatives aimed at advancing the growth, security and sustainability of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
Onakughotor stressed that the blue economy is ultimately about people fishermen, students and entrepreneurs—and urged stakeholders to move beyond dialogue to decisive action in unlocking shared prosperity along Nigeria’s coastlines.
