The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has hailed the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway as a project that will unlock new economic frontiers for the Southwest region.
Speaking at the Southwest Citizen-Government Engagement Summit held in Akure, Ondo State recently, Oyetola described the project as a transformative infrastructure initiative that will redefine connectivity between coastal communities and major economic hubs.
Oyetola noted that the project will create opportunities in tourism, trade, and industrial growth along Nigeria’s coastline.
He said the 700-kilometre highway, when completed, would serve as a catalyst for inclusive development, linking Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo States with the South-South and Southeast regions while boosting investments in coastal tourism, hospitality, and marine logistics.
“The Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway is not just a road; it is an economic lifeline,” Oyetola said.
The Minister further urged Southwest leaders and state governments to complement the Federal Government’s efforts by investing in tourism infrastructure, beach resorts, and cultural attractions that would make the region a premier coastal destination.
Oyetola also praised President Tinubu for his leadership in expanding Nigeria’s continental shelf by 16,300 square kilometres, extending the country’s maritime boundary by about 20 nautical miles in some areas.
He explained that the expansion strengthens Nigeria’s maritime sovereignty and opens new frontiers for offshore investment, marine research, and renewable ocean energy.
According to him, the blue economy holds the key to diversifying Nigeria’s revenue base beyond oil and fostering sustainable growth through marine transportation, shipbuilding, fisheries, and port development.
He also called for a joint effort between the Federal Government and Southwest states to address challenges in maritime safety, urging the gradual replacement of wooden boats with fibre-reinforced ones and the strict enforcement of life jacket use.
“We must make our waterways safer and more efficient,” Oyetola said. “Transitioning to modern boats will not only protect lives but also create local jobs in boat building and maintenance.”
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to making the blue economy a central pillar of Nigeria’s economic transformation, noting that the Southwest was strategically positioned to lead this change.
“This is our time to harness the power of the ocean for prosperity,” he added. “If managed wisely, the sea will not divide us, it will unite and enrich us.”