By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Governor Bassey Otu |
CALABAR, Nigeria – Cross River State has launched a major maritime upskilling programme, backed by the World Bank. Governor Bassey Otu officially flagged off the initiative on Friday, marking a significant step in positioning the state as a central hub for Nigeria's growing blue economy.
Governor Otu, represented by his deputy, Peter Odey, described the programme as a "landmark opportunity" to translate the state's extensive coastline into jobs, economic growth, and sustainable development. He emphasized that this initiative is designed to equip Cross River citizens with globally competitive maritime skills.
"Cross River’s long coastline positions it to benefit significantly from the national push to expand the blue economy," Mr. Otu stated. He cited impressive figures to underline the sector's potential, noting that Nigeria’s maritime sector contributed a staggering ₦113.5 trillion to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the third quarter of 2025.
Linking skills development to critical infrastructure, Governor Otu reaffirmed his administration's commitment to completing the Bakassi Deep Seaport. He revealed that a substantial $3.5 billion investment has already been secured for the project, which now awaits presidential approval for its groundbreaking ceremony.
"This programme, alongside strategic infrastructure like the deep seaport, underscores our promise of continued collaboration with the World Bank and federal authorities," the Governor added.
The launch attracted high-level federal endorsement. Busayo Fakinlede, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Marine and Blue Economy, commended Cross River’s leadership in pioneering sustainable marine development. He confirmed that the state’s initiative aligns perfectly with President Bola Tinubu’s national priorities on food security, youth empowerment, and economic diversification.
In a lighthearted moment, Mr. Fakinlede suggested that Cross River should be recognized as Nigeria’s "fish basket," highlighting its robust fishery output as a foundation for broader maritime growth.
World Bank Team Lead, Morales Yolanda, affirmed the institution's strong backing for the project. She pledged that the World Bank would mobilize essential funding and technical expertise to ensure the programme's success, calling it a model for coastal state development in Nigeria.
Outlining the programme's direct impact, Melodie Lebo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Blue Economy, explained that trainees will acquire modern, internationally recognised maritime competencies. The curriculum is designed to offer clear pathways to employment, internships, and future industry collaborations.
Ms. Lebo stressed the coordinated effort behind the launch, noting the strong involvement of federal agencies like the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), which projects the national blue economy sector could eventually exceed $296 billion in value.
"The launch today is more than a ceremony; it is the first concrete step in building a coordinated blue economy strategy and cultivating the maritime workforce that will drive it," Lebo concluded.
(NAN).