Maritime Writes Project 2025 Bootcamp Set to Host 60 Participants
Kathy Kyari
The 2025 edition of the Maritime Writes Project (MWP) Creative Writing Bootcamp will open with a grand ceremony at the Naval Dockyard in Lagos, where Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shehu, Admiral Superintendent of the Dockyard, will officially flag off the event.
Running from August 13 to 16, the bootcamp will host over 60 participants selected from public entries across schools, media, and maritime organizations.
Project Coordinator, Ezinne Azunna, announced the details in a press statement on Wednesday, highlighting the programme’s goal of immersing budding writers in Nigeria’s maritime and Blue Economy sectors.
“This year, we’re training about 25 children in the Junior category and 40 in the Senior category,” Azunna said. “Participants were selected through an entry phase that included essays and illustrations themed ‘My Blue Economy,’ where applicants shared their understanding of maritime sustainability.”
The schedule includes:
Aug 13–14: Maritime Writes Junior – Storytelling with Illustration for ages 7–13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Aug 13–15: Maritime Writes Senior – Creative Writing Training for ages 14–60, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Aug 16: Maritime Writes Tours – Naval Dockyard and Ship Tour for ages 15+, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Themed “Blue Odyssey: Securing Nigeria’s EEZ, Ports and Blue Economy – Stories of Sea Guardians, Trade Routes, and Coastal Adventures,” the bootcamp will connect participants with maritime professionals and offer first-hand exposure to naval operations.
Attendees will interact with captains of warships and LNG/Merchant vessels, along with key stakeholders from the Nigerian Ports Authority, Naval Dockyard, Western Naval Command, UN Blue Schools Network, AWFISHNET, FESAN, and others.
Azunna said the hands-on experience would help participants craft compelling maritime fiction rooted in authentic encounters and insights.
“Having children from public schools and coastal communities like Makoko join us this year is especially exciting,” she added.
MWP has a history of promoting maritime-themed literature. In November 2024, it released three anthologies of short stories by past participants: Three Dreams and a Beach and Other Maritime Short Stories, The Surfer in Me and Other Maritime Short Stories, and The Water Guard and Other Maritime Stories.
With the 2025 bootcamp, the project aims to further inspire creative voices and boost public engagement with Nigeria’s maritime future.
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