Tinubu Launches Blue Economy Plan for 5m Jobs by 2035

On October 11, 2023, President Bola Tinubu unveiled Nigeria's ambitious Blue Economy Action Plan during the 11th Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya. The plan aims to create five million ocean-based jobs by 2035, positioning Nigeria as a leader in Africa's blue economy.

The initiative focuses on expanding fisheries, maritime tourism, and renewable energy, particularly targeting youth and women for employment opportunities. Tinubu emphasized Nigeria's 853-kilometer coastline and strategic location in the Gulf of Guinea as vital to the country's maritime future.

He pledged stronger actions against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which he described as a major threat to food security and economic stability in Africa. The plan also includes commitments to expand marine protected areas by 2030 and to restore half of Nigeria's degraded mangroves.

Tinubu called for deeper cooperation among African nations to improve maritime surveillance and enhance enforcement mechanisms to protect African waters.