The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) has urged the federal government, through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, to prioritise the revitalisation of Nigeria’s steel industry as a strategic step toward strengthening shipbuilding and automobile manufacturing.
The Head of Research at SEREC, Eugene Nweke, made the call while reacting to a recent statement by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who claimed that revenue from the blue economy had surged by 90 per cent and could soon surpass that of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).
While Nweke described the minister’s projection as “welcome and healthy,” he stressed the importance of staying focused on practical strategies.
“Though the claim seems plausible, it’s essential to monitor progress and address potential challenges to ensure the blue economy reaches its full potential,” he said.
He commended the minister’s enthusiasm but advised that the ministry focus on maximising opportunities across maritime sectors by leveraging administrative and operational capacity.
“SEREC wishes to encourage the minister to strive towards revamping the steel industry, which could boost our shipbuilding and automobile sectors, with its inherent high job creation and technological advancements,” he added.
