Oyetola Inaugurates NIMBEX Committee to Attract Maritime Investments
… Expo to showcase opportunities in ports, shipping, offshore energy, fisheries, marine technology
Oru Leonard
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, has inaugurated the organising committee for 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, industry leaders, financial institutions and technology innovators to explore investment opportunities and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leading maritime destination in Africa.
Oyetola, who was represented at the inauguration by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Fatima Mahmood, said NIMBEX would provide a strategic platform for translating the country’s maritime resources into economic growth, investment opportunities and sustainable employment.
According to the minister, Nigeria’s marine and blue economy has enormous potential to support economic diversification, attract domestic and foreign investments, and create jobs.
“NIMBEX will provide a strategic platform to bring together the capital, expertise and partnerships needed to unlock these opportunities,” he said.
The minister explained that the initiative would help bridge the gap between Nigeria’s extensive maritime resources and the investments required to harness them for national development.
Nigeria has an 853-kilometre coastline and more than 10,000 kilometres of navigable inland waterways spanning 28 states, alongside a substantial domestic market that offers opportunities for maritime trade and investment.
The government believes these assets could strengthen the country’s participation in regional and international maritime commerce if properly developed.
The organising committee is chaired by Mr Husseini Shettima, Director of Marine Conservation, Innovation and Technology in the ministry, while Hajia Kalthum Ibrahim, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, 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 key maritime institutions, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency, National Inland Waterways Authority and Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria.
The committee also comprises representatives of maritime education, research and training institutions, including 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 industry stakeholders are also part of the committee.
The ministry said the multi-agency structure was designed to ensure coordinated planning and implementation while connecting investors with credible opportunities supported by government policies.
NIMBEX will focus on strategic investment areas, including deep-sea mining, port development, shipping, inland waterway transportation, logistics, offshore energy, maritime finance, fisheries, marine biotechnology, maritime security and environmental sustainability.
The expo is also expected to highlight emerging opportunities in marine renewable energy, green shipbuilding, artificial intelligence-driven logistics, subsea robotics and coastal tourism.
Beyond showcasing investment prospects, the initiative aims to strengthen partnerships among government agencies, private-sector operators, financial institutions and technology providers.
The ministry said the expo would promote sustainable approaches to developing Nigeria’s marine resources while creating opportunities for innovation, business expansion and long-term economic growth.
The inauguration marks a step towards establishing NIMBEX as a platform for connecting Nigeria’s maritime development priorities with the capital, expertise and partnerships needed to drive growth in the marine and blue economy.
