The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola has inaugurated a committee to organise the Nigeria Marine and Blue Economy Expo (NIMBEX).
The Special Adviser to the Minister, Dr. Bolaji Akinola in a statement said the inauguration of the committee was a strategic move to position Nigeria as a leading destination for maritime investment, innovation and trade in Africa.
According to the statement which was made available to Maritime Bits, the expo is expected to bring together policymakers, international investors, industry leaders and technology innovators to support the Federal Government’s efforts to unlock the vast economic potential of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
Akinola quoted Oyetola saying that the initiative would provide a platform to translate the country’s maritime advantages into tangible investment opportunities, economic growth and job creation.
The Minister words: “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.
Oyetola who was represented at the inauguration by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMMBE), Mrs. Fatima Mahmood said the expo would help bridge the gap between Nigeria’s vast maritime resources and the investments required to harness them for national development.
According to him, with an 853-kilometre coastline, more than 10,000 kilometres of navigable inland waterways spanning 28 states and a substantial domestic market, Nigeria possesses significant assets to strengthen its position in regional and international maritime trade.
The statement revealed that NIMBEX Organising Committee is chaired by the Director of Marine Conservation, Innovation and Technology, FMMBE, Mr. Husseini Shettima while the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, FMMBE, Hajia Kalthum Ibrahim and the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Marine and Blue Economy, Professor Busayo Fakinlede, will serve as co-chairpersons.
It was revealed that Akinola will not only serve as a member of the committee but also the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the exposition.
Other members include representatives of FMMBE technical departments and key agencies and institutions across the maritime sector, 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 the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).
Also represented are the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State; Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR); 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.
The committee also includes representatives of coastal states, terminal operators, ship owners, freight forwarders, barge operators and other stakeholders in the maritime industry.
According to the statement, the multi-agency composition is intended to promote coordinated planning and execution while connecting investors with credible, policy-backed opportunities across the sector. NIMBEX will focus on key areas such as deep-sea mining, port development, shipping development, inland waterway development, logistics, offshore energy, maritime finance, fisheries, marine biotechnology, maritime security and environmental sustainability.
It added that the expo will also showcase emerging opportunities in marine renewable energy, green shipbuilding, artificial intelligence-driven logistics, subsea robotics and coastal tourism.
Apart from showcasing investment prospects, NIMBEX aims to foster collaboration among government, industry, financial institutions and technology stakeholders while promoting sustainable approaches to harnessing Nigeria’s marine resources.
