Cross River gov unveils World Bank-backed maritime skills programme

L-R: From front row: Secretary to the State Government of Cross River, Prof. Owan Enoh (8th), Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Odey (9th), Special Adviser to the Governor on Blue Economy, Melody Lebo (10th) and other participants at the flagging of the World Bank–supported upskilling programme, in Calabar, recently. Photo: State government.

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Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has unveiled a World Bank–supported maritime upskilling programme aimed at positioning the state as a leading player in Nigeria’s emerging blue economy.

The programme was formally flagged off on Thursday at the State Library Complex, Calabar, where the governor, represented by his deputy, Peter Odey, described the initiative as “a landmark opportunity for our young people to acquire advanced technical skills needed to unlock the vast marine resources of Cross River State.”

This was contained in a statement by the state government made available to PUNCH Online on Friday.

He noted that the state, with one of Nigeria’s longest coastlines, is strategically positioned to benefit from the federal government’s renewed focus on the blue economy.

He stated, “This initiative reflects our administration’s unyielding commitment to transforming our water-based assets into engines of economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development.”

Otu highlighted the growing impact of Nigeria’s maritime sector on national development, noting that it contributed ₦113.5 trillion to the country’s GDP in the third quarter of 2025.

He also referenced NIMASA’s projection that the national blue economy could generate more than $296 billion.

“With figures like these, we cannot afford to stand on the sidelines. Cross River must lead from the front,” he said.

Reaffirming his administration’s readiness to actualise major maritime infrastructure, Otu disclosed that a $3.5 billion investment for the Bakassi Deep Seaport has already been secured and is awaiting presidential approval for groundbreaking.

“We are ready, and we will continue to work closely with the World Bank and Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to ensure our waterways, ports, fisheries, and logistics platforms deliver maximum economic impact,” the governor declared.

The launch drew representatives from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the World Bank, the University of Calabar and industry stakeholders.

Senior Special Adviser to the President on Marine and Blue Economy, Busayo Fakinlede, commended the state for its consistent leadership in the sector, noting that its rich biodiversity makes it central to Nigeria’s blue economy agenda.

“Cross River should be regarded as the fish basket of the nation,” Fakinlede said.

World Bank Team Lead, Morales Yolanda, emphasised the Bank’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s coastal states, stating, “We will mobilise funding, technical expertise, and strategic partnerships to ensure the success of this programme.”

A technical presentation by the Dean of the Faculty of Oceanography, University of Calabar, Francis Nwosu, highlighted the state’s ecological and economic advantages in sustainable marine development.

On her part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Blue Economy, Miss Melodie Lebo, said the training would equip participants with globally competitive skills across shipping, logistics, fisheries, aquaculture, port operations, coastal tourism and climate-related fields.

“The archaic way of doing things is gone. After the training, participants will be fully equipped with modern competencies,” Lebo said.

She added that certificates to be issued are internationally recognised, noting that the programme is the first phase of a larger intervention to expand capacity in the state.

“This is a globally benchmarked programme. The Federal Government is fully involved, and this marks the beginning of a more coordinated and transformative pathway for marine and blue economy development in Cross River State,” she said.

Recall that Otu had, in August, pledged full collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority to unlock the economic potential of Calabar Port and accelerate work on the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport.

At the time, he described Cross River’s strategic coastal position as making partnership with the Ports Authority “a natural marriage” capable of delivering significant economic benefits to both the state and the nation.

Adetutu has three years experience in publishing stories on gender, health, education, metro and fact-checking.

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