Nigeria’s maritime sector moved into a new era on Thursday December 4, 2025, as industry leaders, policymakers and innovators gathered in Lagos for the official unveiling of “50 Drivers of the Nigerian Maritime and Blue Economy.” The event, widely described as a landmark moment for the industry, set the stage for a renewed push to unlock the vast economic potential of Nigeria’s marine assets.
Presiding over the ceremony, Capt. Emmanuel Ihenacho, Chairman of the occasion, called the conference a turning point for a sector that remains one of Nigeria’s most powerful but still underutilised economic engines. He emphasised that the maritime industry continues to play a foundational role in trade facilitation, job creation and national revenue, adding that its true economic depth is only beginning to unfold.
According to him, the conference theme and the newly launched publication were deliberately crafted to spotlight the institutions, policies, innovations and personalities shaping both the present and future of Nigeria’s blue economy. Over the course of the engagement, he said, discussions would focus on port modernisation, infrastructure development, maritime security and environmental sustainability—areas he identified as critical to repositioning the sector.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s maritime evolution, Ihenacho revisited key milestones, including the establishment of the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) in 1959, the creation of the Nigerian Maritime Authority (NMA) in 1988 and the eventual emergence of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in 2007.
He also underscored the significance of the Cabotage Act, which strengthened indigenous participation in coastal trade and maritime commerce.
Beyond domestic reforms, Ihenacho highlighted Nigeria’s growing relevance in global maritime dynamics. He pointed to the Maritime Silk Road, a major pillar of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to deepen trade and infrastructure connectivity across regions. Nigeria’s entry into the China–Nigeria Economic Corridor in 2016, he said, has already attracted new investment into infrastructure, logistics and energy.
On the continental stage, he described the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a historic opportunity capable of transforming Nigeria’s maritime footprint. With access to a market of 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion, Nigerian businesses now stand on the threshold of unprecedented expansion.
However, he cautioned that infrastructure gaps, bureaucratic hurdles and limited technical capacity could restrict the gains if not urgently addressed.
He urged stakeholders to use the platform to reposition Nigeria within the global maritime value chain and unlock new avenues for trade, investment and technological growth.
The event also featured remarks from Dr. Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, who hailed the unveiling of the “50 Drivers” publication as a significant milestone for the industry. He described the book as a tribute to the individuals and institutions whose vision, reforms and commitment have reshaped Nigeria’s maritime narrative.
Akutah reaffirmed the Shippers’ Council’s role as port economic regulator, stressing its commitment to ensuring efficiency, transparency, cost-effectiveness and competitiveness across Nigeria’s port system. He also noted that maritime journalism plays a central role in influencing policy, exposing inefficiencies and promoting accountability within the sector.
Speaking on the broader horizon of the blue economy, he said Nigeria holds immense, yet still untapped, potential in fisheries, coastal tourism, offshore energy, marine biotechnology and other marine resources.
Earlier in his welcome address, Mr. Tunde Ayodele, Chairman of the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN), revealed that the book project was the product of two years of intensive research, documentation and industry-wide consultations. The publication, he said, profiles leading individuals, private organisations, government agencies and unions whose efforts have propelled growth and reform within the industry.
According to MARAN, the book aims to serve as an essential reference material for policymakers, investors, students, researchers and stakeholders seeking deeper insight into the evolution of Nigeria’s blue economy. Ayodele added that future editions would expand to include more industry veterans as well as emerging young professionals shaping the sector’s future.
With the unveiling of “50 Drivers of the Nigerian Maritime and Blue Economy,” industry stakeholders say Nigeria is taking deliberate steps toward redefining its maritime identity—one that is competitive, innovative and fully aligned with global economic trends.