The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has deepened strategic partnership with the World Bank under the PROBLUE initiative aimed at delivering key projects and actualizing Nigeria’s Blue Economy Blueprint.
This much was highlighted during a high-level Technical Cooperation meeting focused on the validation of findings and results essential to the nation’s maritime future.
The meeting served as a critical platform to review progress made in developing a coherent and actionable Blue Economy Framework for Nigeria.
The framework was designed to strengthen governance, improve marine spatial planning, and enhance data systems, while promoting stakeholder engagement to ensure long-term institutional coordination.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the technical interface, the Permanent Secretary, of the ministry, Mrs. Fatima Mahmood commended the World Bank delegation led by Marcelo Acerbi and Yolanda Molares and the Advisory Committee for the quality of technical assistance provided.
She expressed satisfaction with the comprehensiveness of the work, particularly the advancements in data systems and analytical outputs.
She further stressed that the focus must now transition from analysis to action, outlining the necessity for the final report to explicitly identify “bankable projects” capable of attracting financing from the World Bank and other international development partners.
“The priority moving forward is investment mobilization and ensuring that all technical outputs are translated into practical, investable outcomes that drive the development of Nigeria’s blue economy,” Mahmood noted.
Also speaking, Lead of the World Bank Consortium, Molares observed that the partnership is foundational to establishing a robust Blue Data Bank and implementing precise data-generation methodologies.
This, she said, would culminate into a comprehensive Integrated Coastal Zone Management report and the strategic creation of Blue Clusters across pilot states, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s maritime evolution.
She further maintained that the successful development of these clusters will reveal high-value investment opportunities, paving the way for targeted grants and sustained support from the World Bank.