The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) has declared that Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones have become critical drivers of the country’s blue economy, serving as strategic hubs for industrialisation, maritime logistics, energy exports and sustainable economic development.

The Authority said its regulated oil and gas free zones have evolved beyond conventional investment destinations into integrated energy economic zones that are strengthening national energy security, expanding export capacity and positioning Nigeria as a preferred investment destination in West Africa.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of OGFZA, Bamanga Usman Jada, stated this at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON), held at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Represented by his Technical Adviser on Free Zones Development, Jackson Iniobong, Jada delivered the keynote address titled, “The Strategic Role of OGFZA in Supporting Nigeria’s Blue Economy and Energy Exports.”

He described the blue economy as a framework for harnessing the nation’s oceans, rivers, ports and coastal resources to stimulate economic prosperity while ensuring environmental sustainability for future generations.

According to him, OGFZA’s statutory mandate of regulating and promoting investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas free zones aligns with the Federal Government’s drive to unlock the economic potential of the marine and coastal environment.
“Over the years, OGFZA has contributed significantly to the development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy through the establishment, regulation and promotion of Special Economic Zones strategically located around our maritime corridors,” he said.

Jada noted that the Authority’s free zones have emerged as major centres for industrial production, international trade, offshore support services, marine logistics and export-oriented manufacturing, deepening Nigeria’s participation in the global maritime economy.

He identified the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone in Rivers State as OGFZA’s flagship investment hub, saying it hosts one of Nigeria’s busiest seaports and serves as an operational base for several multinational oil and gas and maritime companies.

He also cited the Bestaf Maritime Industrial Oil and Gas Free Zone in Lagos, home to an indigenous lubricant blending plant with an annual production capacity of 240 million litres, whose products are exported through Nigeria’s waterways.

Jada further highlighted the Dangote Industries Oil and Gas Free Zone in Lekki, describing it as a landmark indigenous investment that hosts the 700,000-barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery—the largest refinery in Africa—which has significantly enhanced Nigeria’s petroleum export capacity.

According to him, these developments have transformed OGFZA-regulated free zones into strategic energy economic corridors that support industrialisation, strengthen maritime logistics infrastructure and improve national energy security.

He added that the Authority also oversees the Secured Bunkering Anchorage, an offshore facility designed to support safe maritime operations and facilitate energy exports, while its free zones have continued to attract significant local and foreign investments, create employment opportunities and promote technology transfer.

Jada said OGFZA’s One-Stop-Shop framework has improved the ease of doing business by streamlining regulatory approvals, Customs procedures and inter-agency collaboration, thereby reducing operational bottlenecks for investors.

He noted that the regulatory environment has encouraged indigenous participation in fabrication, engineering, marine support services, vessel maintenance and logistics, with facilities such as the West Atlantic Shipyard contributing to Nigeria’s local content development.

Looking ahead, he said OGFZA would intensify efforts to promote environmentally responsible industrial operations through cleaner technologies, efficient resource utilisation and sustainable infrastructure development.

He reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda by leveraging Nigeria’s vast maritime assets to diversify the economy, attract quality investments, generate employment and enhance the country’s competitiveness in the global energy and maritime sectors.

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