Photo caption: Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola,
Photo caption: Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez
*Oyetola, Dominguez call for collective responsibility in preserving ocean resources
Nigeria will join the global maritime community to commemorate the 2025 World Maritime Day scheduled to hold on Thursday September 25, 2025 in Lagos, under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, with the theme: “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.”
According to a statement by the Chairman, Mobilization and Publicity Sub-Committee 2025 World Maritime Day Celebration Nigeria, Hajia Lami Tumaka, the event is aimed at highlighting the shared responsibility of citizens to utilize the ocean in a sustainable manner, ensuring its preservation for future generations. It underscores the transgenerational importance of protecting ocean resources, while also recognizing the immense opportunities the oceans portend for humanity.
Speaking ahead of the commemoration, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between the citizenry and the Federal Government to harness the vast opportunities within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
In his message to mark the day, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, underscored the essential role of the ocean in regulating the climate, sustaining life, and supporting global trade. He warned that human-induced pressures such as pollution, warming, acidification, and overfishing are placing marine ecosystems under severe strain.
According to him, urgent global cooperation is required to reduce pollution, protect marine life, and adopt sustainable practices. “While human activity has caused the damage, it also holds the key to restoring the ocean—presenting both a responsibility and an opportunity for a healthier, safer future,” Dominguez stated.
The 2025 World Maritime Day celebration in Nigeria is expected to bring together key stakeholders in the maritime sector to reflect on the opportunities inherent in the oceans, and the collective obligation to ensure their sustainable use.
