…Unlock Blue Economy potential
By Seun Ibiyemi
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, has inaugurated a multi-agency committee to organise the Nigeria Marine and Blue Economy Expo (NIMBEX), as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to attract investment and unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s maritime sector.**
The expo is expected to bring together policymakers, international investors, maritime industry leaders and technology innovators to explore investment opportunities across shipping, port development, fisheries, offshore energy, marine technology and other segments of the blue economy.
Oyetola said NIMBEX would provide a strategic platform for converting Nigeria’s maritime resources and geographical advantages into investment, economic growth and employment opportunities.
The minister, who was represented at the inauguration by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs Fatima Mahmood, said the initiative would help bridge the gap between the country’s maritime potential and the investments needed to harness it for national development.
“Nigeria’s marine and blue economy holds enormous potential to drive economic diversification, attract investment and create sustainable employment. NIMBEX will provide a strategic platform to bring together the capital, expertise and partnerships needed to unlock these opportunities,” he said.
According to the ministry, Nigeria’s 853-kilometre coastline, more than 10,000 kilometres of navigable inland waterways spanning 28 states and substantial domestic market offer significant opportunities to strengthen its position in regional and international maritime trade.
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The government expects the expo to connect investors with credible investment opportunities while encouraging collaboration between public institutions, private enterprises, financial institutions and technology providers.
The NIMBEX Organising Committee is chaired by Husseini Shettima, Director of Marine Conservation, Innovation and Technology at the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Hajia Kalthum Ibrahim, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the ministry, and Professor Busayo Fakinlede, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Marine and Blue Economy, will serve as co-chairpersons.
The minister’s Special Adviser, Dr Bolaji Akinola, will serve as a member of the committee and Chief Operating Officer of the expo.
Other members include representatives of the ministry’s technical departments and major maritime agencies, including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria.
Academic and research institutions represented on the committee include the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron; Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research; Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology; National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, New Bussa; and the Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology in New Bussa and Baga.
Representatives of coastal states, terminal operators, shipowners, freight forwarders, barge operators and other maritime stakeholders are also included.
The broad composition of the committee is intended to promote coordination among government institutions and private-sector operators in planning and executing the expo.
NIMBEX will focus on several investment areas, including deep-sea mining, port development, shipping, inland waterways, logistics, offshore energy, maritime finance, fisheries, marine biotechnology, maritime security and environmental sustainability.
The expo will also highlight emerging opportunities in marine renewable energy, green shipbuilding, artificial intelligence-driven logistics, subsea robotics and coastal tourism.
These areas offer potential opportunities for investment in infrastructure, technology, transport services, marine resource development and environmental management.
For Nigeria, stronger investment in ports, shipping and inland waterways could support cargo movement, improve logistics efficiency and expand trade opportunities. Meanwhile, fisheries, aquaculture and marine biotechnology could create additional avenues for employment and enterprise development.
However, translating these opportunities into measurable economic gains will depend on investor confidence, regulatory certainty, infrastructure development, access to finance and effective maritime security.
The inauguration of the committee comes as the Federal Government seeks to broaden Nigeria’s sources of economic growth beyond oil and gas by developing marine and aquatic resources.
A well-developed blue economy can generate revenue and employment through maritime transport, port operations, fisheries, coastal tourism, offshore energy and related services.
The sector also provides opportunities for technology development, research, local manufacturing and the expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises along maritime value chains.
Through NIMBEX, the ministry intends to promote partnerships among government, investors, financial institutions and technology companies while encouraging sustainable exploitation of marine resources.
The initiative is expected to provide a platform for showcasing investment prospects and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a destination for maritime trade and investment in Africa.
The success of the expo, however, will ultimately depend on its ability to convert discussions and investment proposals into funded projects, expanded maritime infrastructure and sustainable economic opportunities.
The ministry said the initiative would support efforts to harness Nigeria’s marine resources responsibly while advancing economic diversification, job creation and long-term national development.
