Southwest State Directors of the City Boy Movement (CBM) have sought collaboration with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to expand youth access to emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The delegation, led by Oyo State Director, Lamiju Alao-Akala, met with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Monday in Abuja, outlining the movement’s growing grassroots structure and its drive to promote civic awareness among young Nigerians.
Alao-Akala said the visit formed part of CBM’s engagement with key government institutions whose mandates directly impact employment, enterprise development and economic inclusion.
He identified the marine and blue economy sector as a critical frontier for job creation in areas such as fisheries, coastal trade, maritime logistics, marine services and port operations.
According to him, the movement is focused on translating government reforms and programmes into accessible information for youths, particularly in the Southwest, to enhance participation and ownership of national development initiatives under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He stressed that Nigeria’s youthful population must be adequately informed and positioned to benefit from policy reforms, adding that CBM’s activities include town hall meetings, policy sensitisation campaigns, volunteer outreach and digital engagement aimed at strengthening civic consciousness.
Responding, Oyetola described youth engagement as indispensable to sustainable economic transformation.
He noted that the marine and blue economy holds vast untapped potential and that the Ministry is working to expand indigenous participation and create pathways for skills development and entrepreneurship.
The Minister said platforms that promote accurate information and constructive engagement between government and citizens contribute to national stability and inclusive growth.
He assured the delegation of the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with credible youth driven initiatives that align with its mandate of unlocking maritime value chains for economic diversification.
According to a statement by the minister’s Special Adviser, Dr. Bolaji Akinola , other members of the delegation included Moyo Ogunlewe (Lagos), Kasali Oluwafemi (Ekiti) and Kayode Sowande (Osun).
