Ehingbeti: Stakeholders chart path for inclusive maritime growth
Lagos, Oct. 28, 2025, Maritime stakeholders and policymakers have outlined strategies for inclusive growth to boost coastal development within Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy.
Experts, industry leaders, and community advocates gathered for the 3rd edition of the Ehingbeti Blue Economy Hub with the theme ‘The Renaissance of Ehingbeti in Community Engagement and Inclusivity’ in Lagos on Tuesday.
The discussions focused on unlocking the economic potential buried in Nigeria’s waters.
Organised by the Ocean Ambassadors Foundation (OAF), led by Mrs Violet Williams, the hub has become a key platform for promoting sustainable maritime development and community participation.
In his keynote address, Maj.-Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju (rtd), former Minister of Communications, recalled Lagos’s maritime glory during the old Ehingbeti era.
He described a period when Lagos thrived on trade, prosperity, and migration, standing tall among British colonies through its vibrant maritime economy.
Quoting a Yoruba saying, ‘Ti oju o bati Ehingbeti, oju o le ti Eko,’ he explained that Lagos’s prosperity was tied to Ehingbeti’s vitality.
He noted that Ehingbeti once connected Lagos to the world through trade in food, textiles, crafts, liquors, and precious metals, long before ‘Blue Economy’ became a global term.
Olanrewaju said the modern blue economy, focused on sustainable ocean use, mirrors Ehingbeti’s commercial essence and should now embrace inclusivity and sustainability.
He urged stakeholders to integrate coastal communities into the blue economy, noting their vital knowledge, manpower, and intelligence.
“These communities must not be left behind. They are essential for security, investment protection, and shared growth,” he stressed.
He lamented that in spite of Nigeria’s wealth, many coastal dwellers live in poverty and remain excluded from maritime development.
“It is unacceptable that those closest to the ocean’s wealth remain the poorest among us,” he said.
Olanrewaju urged policymakers to learn from nations such as Singapore and India, where inclusive maritime policies empower coastal populations.
OAF President, Mrs Violet Williams, described the event as “a milestone in Nigeria’s maritime renaissance.”
She said the foundation had consistently used the Ehingbeti Hub to deepen dialogue on sustainable maritime policy and community inclusion.
“The renaissance of Ehingbeti is about the future; one where coastal communities thrive,” she said.
Williams noted that past editions produced documentaries and books chronicling Ehingbeti’s historical and economic importance.
“Today’s discussions build on that legacy, promoting policies for inclusivity and shared prosperity,” she said.
She stressed that the success of Nigeria’s blue economy required collective effort from government, private sector, and citizens.
Lagos Zonal Head of the Inland Waterways Authority, Mrs Sarah Braimah, called for major investment in waterways to enable passenger and cargo operations.
“China invested in inland waterways decades ago. Look where they are today. We must follow suit,” Braimah said.
She criticised politicians’ reluctance to fund dredging and marine infrastructure because such projects lack “vote-winning” visibility.
“Even if dredging is unseen, its benefits are felt through jobs, reduced traffic, and safer transport,” she added.
She said efficient waterways could move thousands of tonnes of goods daily and ease pressure on road networks.
“When waterways thrive, nearby communities benefit through jobs and local enterprise. That is inclusivity in action,” Braimah said.
Former WISTA President, Chief (Mrs) Chiazor Anishere (SAN), praised the Ocean Ambassadors Foundation for promoting maritime advocacy and education.
Anishere, also former Continental President of WIMAfrica, described the Ehingbeti Hub as a visionary platform linking policy with community impact.
“This initiative gives us hope for a bright, inclusive maritime future,” she said, urging increased investment in coastal infrastructure.
She expressed willingness to invest in the Ehingbeti Maritime Hub, calling it “a reflection of progress and participation.”
Speakers reaffirmed commitment to restore Ehingbeti’s maritime glory and ensure blue economy benefits reach those living by and depending on the sea.
Lagos, through the 3rd Ehingbeti Hub, reaffirmed its position as the heart of
Nigeria’s maritime transformation, where history, innovation, and inclusivity converge for a prosperous blue future.
