The Federal Government has directed all heads of maritime agencies to deliver measurable results or face consequences. Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, issued the directive during the signing of performance bonds with agency heads at the Ministerial Management Retreat. The event, held in Abuja, preceded the 2026 budget planning session. Oyetola described the performance bonds as a commitment to transparency and accountability across all agencies under the ministry. He stated, "There will be no more business as usual. Performance will be tracked, and underperformers will be dealt with accordingly." Among the agencies affected are the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Inland Waterways Authority of Nigeria (IWAN). The minister emphasized that financial allocations would now be tied directly to deliverables. The retreat also included strategy sessions on boosting revenue generation from the blue economy.
Adegboyega Oyetola is betting that signed performance bonds will change behaviour in agencies long accused of inertia. The move targets NIMASA, NPA and IWAN—entities with decades of unverified claims about reform. If enforcement is real, Nigerians may finally see port efficiency and revenue tracking improve. If not, the bonds will join the pile of symbolic gestures with no impact.
