Former Tunisian Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa, Paul Holthus, and other Global Leaders in Blue Economy to converge in the Niger Delta in February

Stakeholders in the blue economy arena are set to converge in Akwa Ibom State for the landmark Niger Delta Blue Economy Investment Summit, which is scheduled to hold from the 9th to the 11th of February 2026 at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene. 

The summit, themed “Harnessing Blue Economy Potentials for Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta – Setting the Agenda for Shared Prosperity, Sustainability and Resilience, ” aims to position the region as a leading driver of Africa’s emerging blue economy agenda. The keynote speech will be presented by His Excellency Mehdi Jomaa, former Prime Minister of Tunisia. Other invited speakers include Paul Holthus, Founding President of the World Ocean Council, Rear Admiral Lambert, former National Hydrographer, Ian Mcfadzen of Ocean Conservation Trust and Professor Pierre Failler of the Centre for Blue Governance at the University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom. Representatives of key Ministries, including the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, as well as the Ministry of Regional Development, are billed to attend the event. Other institutions in the region, including relevant agencies and development partners working in the region, have also indicated positive interest in attending and participating at the summit. 

Confirming the development via text message, a renowned blue economy enthusiast and co-convener of the summit, Dr Uche Igwe, stated that the event is long overdue. According to him, “ the summit is a premier platform for emphasizing sustainable use of enormous maritime potentials in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria to drive economic growth, mobilize resources to achieve environmental remediation, job creation, and transformation of livelihoods. It is something that would have happened before now. For too long, our region has been the poster child of the paradox of plenty. We must do our bit to challenge that perception". Kingdom Blessing, a senior lawyer and blue economy consultant, applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for leading the way by creating a Ministry dedicated to Marine and Blue Economy with a clear policy direction. According to him, "This summit will leverage on that foundation to bring stakeholders together to co-create a coherent roadmap for the translation of the quantum blue economy potentials in the Niger Delta, to tangible benefits for the people so that no one will be left behind”

Responding to preparations for the summit, Mr Jonathan Turner, co-founder of NLA International, technical partner to Gadfly Consulting Limited, and lead organizer of the summit, said the event is deliberately curated to be inclusive, fostering dialogue and stakeholder engagement. "We understand the need to blend the voices of political leaders, policy makers, private sector operators, civil society and communities to design a productive, impactful, and people-centred deliberation that is exactly what we have in mind” 

A Turning Point for the Niger Delta

With approximately 853 kilometres of coastline and a vast network of rivers, mangroves and marine ecosystems, the Niger Delta holds unmatched potential for sustainable economic growth. The blue economy in Nigeria —covering sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, coastal tourism, renewable energy, and ocean governance—is projected to contribute over $405 billion to Africa’s economy by 2030.

Despite these opportunities, challenges such as weak regulatory systems, poor coordination, environmental degradation, climate impact, and limited investments have slowed progress. This summit seeks to reverse that trajectory by rallying key actors around a unified regional strategy.

Emmanuel Ofik, a retired Rear Admiral and Chairman of the Summit Advisory Committee, conveyed deep excitement at such a landmark event. The retired senior Naval Officer from Ikuru Town in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State expressed optimism about the transformative impact of a systematic approach to developing the blue economy. “ My community, Ikuru Town, has probably one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole of West Africa, adorned with pristine white sand. Nothing stops us from developing adequate infrastructure, such as five-star hotels and continental restaurants, to host thousands of tourists every year. I look forward to engaging with stakeholders to move this sector forward quickly. The Niger Delta has so much potential beyond oil. This is a time to come together to collectively re-position our region”  

According to Tshego Motsoenyane, Summit Director of Africa Partnerships, specific sessions at the summit will learn from the experience of other African countries with success stories in implementing the blue economy, such as South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Mauritius. “ I am from South Africa, and I am delighted that delegates are coming from my country to this important summit. We need platforms like these to share experiences and learn from each other. I am keen to ensure that the summit reflects the voices of women, youth, and coastal communities that are washed away annually during flooding, and that they are deliberately included in the development agenda. "

 One of the expected major highlights of the summit will be the launch of the Niger Delta Blue Economy Investment Fund. 

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