- The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku (right) presenting a souvenir to the former Prime Minister of Tunisia, Mr. Mehdi Jomaa (left), during a courtesy visit at the NDDC Guest House in Maitama, Abuja
Admin I Monday, Feb.09.26
ABUJA, Nigeria— The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has intensified its campaign to pivot the oil-rich region toward a sustainable “Blue Economy,” seeking to leverage Nigeria’s vast coastline to stimulate job creation and long-term regional stability.
In a high-level diplomatic engagement in Abuja on Monday, NDDC Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku hosted former Tunisian Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa. The meeting serves as a strategic precursor to the Niger Delta Blue Economy Investment Summit 2026, scheduled to take place in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
For decades, the Niger Delta has been synonymous with onshore oil production.
However, Dr. Ogbuku signaled a shift in the Commission’s development strategy, positioning marine and coastal assets as the next frontier for economic inclusion and environmental restoration.
”The Blue Economy is a key pillar of our strategy,” Ogbuku stated during the interactive session.
“The region’s coastal assets present significant opportunities for youth empowerment and positioning the Niger Delta as a hub for sustainable marine development.”
The Commission’s roadmap focuses on three critical intersections:
Infrastructure Development: Aligning coastal connectivity with maritime trade.
Environmental Stewardship: Mitigating the ecological impact of industrial activity.
Economic Inclusion: Ensuring local communities benefit directly from marine resources.
Continental Cooperation
The presence of Mr. Jomaa, who led Tunisia through a pivotal democratic transition, underscores the NDDC’s ambition to frame the Niger Delta’s growth within a broader African maritime context.
Drawing on Tunisia’s Mediterranean experience, Jomaa emphasized that Africa’s future growth is inextricably linked to the sustainable management of its waters.
”Successful blue economy development requires strong institutions and responsible leadership,” Jomaa noted, highlighting the need for strategic planning and regional cooperation to unlock the continent’s shared maritime heritage.
The upcoming Uyo summit is designed to be more than a policy forum; it is a pitch to international investors and development agencies.
By hosting figures like Jomaa, the NDDC aims to build the institutional credibility necessary to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into non-oil sectors.
The Commission’s leadership, including Executive Director of Corporate Services Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde, remains focused on creating a framework that reflects “African realities” while adhering to international best practices in governance.
As the NDDC prepares for the 2026 Summit, the message to the international community is clear: the Niger Delta is looking beyond the oil rig toward the horizon.
