Business
Nigeria Promotes Strong Sustainable Blue Economy Growth Plan
Nigeria advances sustainable blue economy growth plan, strengthening climate-focused marine policies and international investment partnerships
The Federal Government of Nigeria, reaffirmed its commitment to advancing a sustainable blue economy growth plan anchored on climate resilience, environmental protection, and long-term marine sector development.
Also read: Marine /Blue Economy Ministry will Strengthen our Fragile Economy- H.E. Tamuno
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, made this known while receiving a delegation from Invest International, a state-owned development finance institution under the Dutch Ministry of Finance, led by Ms Fenna Zoe Howkamp.
Mrs Mahmood stated that the Ministry is deliberately embedding climate considerations into its policies and programmes as part of efforts to ensure responsible utilisation of Nigeria’s marine resources.
She emphasised that sustainability remains central to the government’s development agenda for the blue economy.
She explained that Nigeria is aligning with global best practices in marine resource management, including emerging sectors such as marine mining, while ensuring that such activities do not cause environmental degradation or threaten fragile ecosystems.
“Our approach is to ensure that development within the marine space is sustainable, climate-responsive and environmentally responsible,” she said, noting that the sustainable blue economy growth plan prioritises ecosystem protection alongside economic expansion.
Mrs Mahmood further identified fisheries as a key subsector with strong potential for economic transformation, particularly in the areas of food security, nutrition, and job creation.
She highlighted Nigeria’s vast aquatic resources and described the sector as one with significant untapped investment opportunities.
She also reaffirmed the Ministry’s openness to strategic partnerships, especially in port development and marine infrastructure, stressing that collaboration with international partners remains essential for unlocking long-term growth in the sector.
“We are open to partnerships that will drive innovation, investment and sustainability in our marine space,” she said.
In her remarks, Ms Fenna Zoe Howkamp, Head of Public Finance at Invest International for the Southern Africa region including Nigeria, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Nigeria in the blue economy sector.
She outlined Invest International’s technical expertise in marine and water management and presented proposals that include coastal protection projects, feasibility studies, and nature-based solutions for drainage and water supply systems.
Ms Howkamp added that the institution is prepared to support large-scale infrastructure development through financing options covering up to 35 per cent of eligible project costs for public infrastructure valued between €100 million and €150 million.
She further explained that funding arrangements could be structured through co-financing with multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and the European Investment Bank, or through direct lending to Nigerian ministries and agencies.
Also read: Nigeria Loses N20bn Daily to Port Inefficiencies, Agbakoba
Both parties agreed on the need for sustained engagement to advance feasibility studies and identify viable projects capable of strengthening coastal resilience and supporting Nigeria’s long-term sustainable blue economy growth plan.
The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has dismissed allegations that it appropriated the Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) brand, insisting it lawfully obtained trademark acceptance for the name and will proceed with its 2026 summit as scheduled.
In a statement issued on September 12, 2026, the chamber described claims by Kunle Nwiwa Junior as “cheap blackmail, misleading, mischievous and a misrepresentation of the facts,” maintaining that it independently developed the summit and followed all required regulatory procedures.
According to NDCCITMA, it applied for and received a Trademark Acceptance Letter for the name Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) in August 2025 under File No. NG/TM/O/2025/387284.
The chamber said the chronology of events contradicts allegations that it copied another party’s application, arguing that its trademark acceptance predated the period during which Nwiwa’s own application was reportedly still pending before the relevant authorities.
“Economic Summit” is a generic expression
NDCCITMA further argued that the phrase “Economic Summit” is a generic description widely used for conferences that bring together governments, investors, businesses, development institutions and other stakeholders to discuss investment and economic development.
The chamber maintained that while concepts may be widely used, legal protection only arises from recognised intellectual property rights, including duly registered trademarks and other enforceable proprietary interests.
It therefore rejected suggestions that any individual or organisation has exclusive ownership of the broader concept of an economic summit.
Court grants interim injunction
Addressing reports that the summit had been halted, NDCCITMA said the dispute is already before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and that there is no court order restraining the event.
The chamber disclosed that in Suit No. FHC/PHC/CS/57/2026, Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam granted an interim injunction restraining the defendants—Kunle Nwiwa Junior and Keneva Consult Ltd.—from interfering with the planned summit.
According to NDCCITMA, the court also directed the defendants to remove publications, notices, petitions, social media posts and other statements allegedly considered damaging to the chamber’s name, integrity and reputation pending the hearing of its motion for interlocutory injunction.
The matter has been adjourned until September 22, 2026 for further hearing.
Chamber rejects ₦500 million demand claim
NDCCITMA also alleged that it had received a demand from Nwiwa Junior requesting ₦500 million as a condition for abandoning his claims over the summit.
The chamber said the demand was rejected, adding that it subsequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what it described as repeated harassment and threats directed at its officials.
It said the petition sought police intervention, including inviting the complainant for questioning and caution where necessary.
Summit opens September 15
Despite the legal dispute, NDCCITMA reaffirmed that the 2026 Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit will hold from September 15 to 17, 2026, at the Obi Wali Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The summit will be held under the theme “Driving Investment, Innovation & Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta” and is expected to bring together policymakers, investors, business leaders, development partners and industry stakeholders to discuss economic transformation across the region.
The chamber said it remains committed to promoting commerce, industry, trade, mining, agriculture and sustainable economic development throughout the Niger Delta while allowing the courts to determine all outstanding legal issues.
Tinubu Niger Delta summit opens in Port Harcourt as investors and policymakers gather to drive investment, innovation and industrial growth
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