…application portal opens October 5 for Nigerians aged 18–28
Director, Marine Conservation & Innovation, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy representing the Hon. Minister; Shehu Aliyu, Executive Director Public Sector, First Bank Limited; Abolore Solebo Executive Director Corporate Banking, Fidelity Bank; and Mrs. Hafsatu Mohammed, Executive Director, NNPC Shipping and Logistics Ltd at the Blue Economy Accelerator Programme and National Innovation Hackathon held at Eko hotel.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has launched a new innovation platform aimed at bringing young entrepreneurs and technology-driven solutions into Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy value chain.
The initiative, known as the NIMASA Blue Economy Accelerator Programme (NIMASA-BEAP), was unveiled alongside the National Innovation Hackathon as part of efforts to stimulate innovation, entrepreneurship and private-sector investment in the sector.
The programme will provide a structured platform for young Nigerians and innovative enterprises to develop solutions to challenges and unlock opportunities across the maritime and blue economy value chain.
Speaking at the unveiling, NIMASA Director-General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, described the initiative as a national development imperative, stressing that Nigeria must derive greater economic value from its maritime resources.
Mobereola said the scale of the country’s maritime economy presented significant opportunities for economic diversification, job creation, innovation and increased participation of Nigerians across the maritime value chain.
“Nigeria’s maritime economy is a multi-billion naira frontier we have left largely untapped. We capture less than three per cent of the value moving through our own waters. NIMASA-BEAP exists to correct that historic imbalance”, he said.
He challenged young innovators and entrepreneurs to “lead this frontier. Do not follow it”, urging them to see the maritime sector not merely as an industry but as a frontier for innovation, investment and national economic transformation.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who delivered the keynote address, commended NIMASA for what he described as a shift from regulation alone to catalysing the implementation of the blue economy agenda.
Represented by the Director, Marine Conservation and Innovation, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Hussein Shettima Shehu, the minister said the initiative demonstrated institutional boldness and could help position NIMASA as a catalyst for innovation within the sector.
“I want to commend the Director-General and CEO of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, and NIMASA’s Executive Management Team, for the vision and institutional boldness this programme represents.
This is not a routine government initiative. This is a paradigm shift, from NIMASA as a regulator, to NIMASA as a catalyst”, Oyetola said.
He called on commercial banks, development finance institutions and maritime stakeholders to support the initiative through investment, mentorship and partnerships aimed at advancing Nigeria’s blue economy.
Stakeholders at the event also pledged their support for NIMASA-BEAP, with representatives of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, First Bank, Zenith Bank, Fidelity Bank, Wema Bank, Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Tamrose Limited, Petromarine Limited and Starzs Investment Company Limited expressing their willingness to partner with NIMASA on the programme.
The initiative has been structured around defined timelines, responsibilities and accountability mechanisms.
NIMASA said application portal will open on October 5, 2026, for young innovators aged between 18 and 28, while applications will close on November 13.
Independent evaluation and due diligence of applications will take place from November 16 to December 2.
The National Innovation Hackathon is scheduled for December 8 to10, after which successful participants will proceed to a 12-week accelerator programme in the first quarter of 2027.
The programme is expected to culminate in a National Demo Day in the second quarter of 2027, providing participating ventures with an opportunity to present their solutions and businesses to investors, industry stakeholders and potential partners.
NIMASA said the initiative is expected to create a pipeline of innovative enterprises capable of contributing to the development of Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy while strengthening the participation of young Nigerians in the sector.