NIPSS: Tinubu Orders Nationwide Security Review, Directs Implementation of Blue Economy Report
President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to embark on a comprehensive nationwide security audit and present actionable recommendations to guide ongoing reforms of Nigeria’s security architecture.
The directive was issued on Wednesday during a Presidential Parley with participants of the Senior Executive Course 47 at the State House, Abuja. Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented the President, also conveyed Tinubu’s instruction to all ministries, departments and agencies to study and prepare for the implementation of the Institute’s new report on the blue economy.
A statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication, disclosed that the President anchored the new security task within a broader economic strategy focused on harnessing Nigeria’s marine and aquatic resources.
Tinubu described NIPSS as *“the intellectual engine of our national transformation,”* stressing the need for bold, innovative and context-driven solutions. He assured that the security policy paper, once submitted within an agreed timeline, would receive urgent attention.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to positioning the blue economy as a major driver of national growth. He said the sector has long been underutilised despite Nigeria’s vast maritime assets, including an 853-kilometre coastline, rich fisheries, extensive inland waterways and strategic location in the Gulf of Guinea.
According to him, the blue economy represents *“a strategic pathway for diversifying our revenue base, creating sustainable employment and revitalising the ecosystems that sustain national development.”*
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He highlighted priority areas such as aquaculture expansion, port and maritime corridor modernisation, coastal tourism, marine biotechnology and renewable ocean energy. Tinubu said the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy underscores his administration’s determination to overhaul port management systems, boost maritime security and stimulate private-sector growth.
However, he warned that economic aspirations in the marine sector cannot be achieved without significantly improving national security. Although piracy rates have dropped through initiatives like the Deep Blue Project, he said oil theft, illegal fishing, smuggling, vandalism and kidnapping continue to threaten revenue and investment.
“These threats are real, and this administration is taking decisive steps to address them,” he stated.
Earlier, Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, expressed gratitude for the Federal Government’s support. He disclosed that participants of SEC 47 visited several states and 14 countries during their study, culminating in their report titled *“Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities.”*
Presenting highlights of the research, Colonel Murkar Dauda commended the government for addressing existing gaps in the blue economy, while noting challenges related to governance, institutional coordination and infrastructure.
The report identified fisheries and aquaculture as high-impact entry points and urged the government to launch a national fisheries expansion programme capable of raising fish production from 1.2 million metric tonnes to 10 million metric tonnes within two years.
It also recommended diversifying marine revenue sources, creating a comprehensive financing framework for the sector, harmonising legal and policy frameworks, promoting skills development and job creation, and enhancing the safety of Nigeria’s inland waterways.
By PRNigeria
