By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has unveiled the Blue Economy Accelerator Programme, a strategic initiative aimed at identifying, nurturing and accelerating innovative startups capable of supporting the sustainable development of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
The programme is designed to attract young entrepreneurs and innovators with transformative ideas that can reshape the country’s maritime ecosystem and unlock new economic opportunities within the sector.
Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said participants would benefit from structured business development support, industry mentorship and technical guidance to transform promising concepts into viable enterprises that address critical challenges and opportunities in the blue economy.
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According to Mobereola, the programme aligns with the vision of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to unlock the sector’s vast economic potential by empowering young innovators, entrepreneurs and technology-driven businesses.
“The programme reflects NIMASA’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the vision of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in unlocking the immense potential of the blue economy by empowering young innovators, entrepreneurs and technology-driven enterprises.
We at NIMASA want to provide a platform for investors to identify young talents and invest in them,” he said.
The NIMASA boss also commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for developing a comprehensive policy framework for the sector, describing it as a roadmap for the growth of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
He urged young Nigerians to take advantage of the initiative, noting that it has the potential to transform innovative ideas into profitable investments within the maritime industry.
Applications for the programme are open to startups and innovators developing solutions in key areas, including marine waste management and the blue circular economy, aquaculture and sustainable fisheries, maritime technology and logistics, ocean energy, marine tourism, marine biotechnology, ocean data and analytics, green shipping, smart port solutions, autonomous marine vehicles, biofouling prevention technologies, and coastal resilience projects.
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NIMASA disclosed that the first phase of the accelerator programme is expected to attract at least 150 high-quality applications from Nigerians both within and outside the country.
The agency said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to deepen private sector participation, promote innovation and position Nigeria as a major player in the global blue economy.
