The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has called on the people of the Niger Delta to take ownership of the emerging blue economy, urging stakeholders to harness its vast opportunities while protecting the environment from further degradation.
The monarch made the call on Wednesday at the maiden Warri Blue Economy Summit 2026 held in Warri, Delta State.
Speaking at the summit, Ogiame Atuwatse III said the Niger Delta must seize the opportunity to become a leader in the blue economy and avoid repeating mistakes associated with previous resource booms in the region.
“Too many times, Warri and the greater Niger Delta have missed the opportunity to be a pioneer, a leader and a strong beneficiary of what God has blessed us with. I believe God has given us another opportunity and it is time for us to rise to that occasion and be the ones leading the charge,” the monarch said.
He described the blue economy as a new frontier for economic transformation but cautioned that development must not come at the expense of the environment.
“I am not just the custodian of the people and culture, but also the custodian of the environment itself. While we want our lives to drastically improve by the proceeds of the blue economy, our environment must not pay the price,” he added.
The traditional ruler called for a development model that would ensure local communities directly benefit from economic activities in the region.
“This time the people must witness a positive impact of the full formation of this economy, not just in their pocket, but in their environment and in their lives, without them having to relocate away from this environment and run to urban areas,” he said.
Atuwatse III also highlighted the economic value of the Niger Delta’s mangrove forests, advocating their protection through participation in global carbon credit markets.
According to him, properly managed mangrove ecosystems could generate sustainable revenue, create jobs and fund community development projects while preserving the environment.
“Our mangrove forests are among the most effective natural carbon sinks. By formally protecting and managing these habitats, we can generate high-quality carbon credits,” he said.
The monarch stressed that local communities must remain central beneficiaries of any blue economy initiative.
“Our vision extends far beyond conservation. It is about building a thriving green economy that works hand-in-hand with the blue economy and the orange economy, while benefiting those of us who are here now and the generations to come,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by officials of the ministry, said Nigeria possessed the resources needed to become Africa’s leading blue economy destination.
He said opportunities existed in maritime transport, fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, logistics, marine tourism and offshore services, adding that public-private partnerships would be crucial to unlocking investments in the sector.
Oyetola described Warri as a strategic maritime and industrial hub, stressing the need for environmental sustainability, youth empowerment and community participation.
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, represented by her Technical Adviser, Dr Kabir Masanawa, urged stakeholders to broaden the scope of the blue economy to include culture, tourism and creative industries.
According to him, Nigeria’s waterways, coastal communities, festivals and traditional institutions could attract global investment and create sustainable livelihoods.
“Warri is not only an economic hub; it is a cultural gateway where history, trade, tradition and innovation have coexisted for centuries,” he said.
Earlier, Executive Chairman of the Warri Blue Economy Development Initiative, Chief Ebiyemi Omatseye, described the summit as a turning point in Warri’s economic development journey.
She said sectors such as shipping, tourism, aquaculture, renewable energy and coastal infrastructure could drive economic growth and address unemployment in the region.
“Our waterways must become pathways to prosperity and our resources catalysts for development,” she said.
Former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr Temisan Omatseye, called for the expansion of the Warri Port beyond its current feeder-port status, citing its strategic importance to economic growth in the Niger Delta.
Also, Regional Head of Fidelity Bank, Augusta Anyanwu-Egbom, said the blue economy could generate more than 40 million jobs in Nigeria if properly developed.
She urged stronger collaboration among governments, financial institutions, development partners and private investors to unlock the sector’s enormous potential.
The summit featured panel discussions on maritime entrepreneurship, tourism, the Koko Free Trade Zone, economic diversification and community-driven development.
Participants called for stronger collaboration among governments, traditional institutions, investors and local communities to position the Niger Delta as a major beneficiary of Nigeria’s growing blue economy while safeguarding its fragile ecosystem for future generations.
