Oyetola Inaugurates NIMBEX Committee to Attract Maritime Investments
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, has inaugurated an organising committee for the Nigeria Marine and Blue Economy Expo (NIMBEX), as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to attract investment, promote innovation and position Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in Africa.
The committee’s inauguration is aimed at creating a platform to connect policymakers, international investors, industry leaders and technology innovators with investment opportunities across Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
Oyetola, who was represented at the inauguration by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs Fatima Mahmood, said the expo would help translate Nigeria’s maritime potential into tangible economic benefits, including job creation, investment inflows and economic diversification.
“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,” the minister said.
He noted that the initiative would bridge the gap between the country’s extensive maritime resources and the investments required to harness them for national development.
Nigeria’s maritime assets include an 853-kilometre coastline, more than 10,000 kilometres of navigable inland waterways spanning 28 states and a substantial domestic market, which collectively offer opportunities to strengthen the country’s participation in regional and international maritime trade.
The organising committee is chaired by Mr Husseini Shettima, Director of Marine Conservation, Innovation and Technology at the ministry, with 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, serving as co-chairpersons.
The minister’s Special Adviser, Dr Bolaji Akinola, will serve as a committee member and Chief Operating Officer of the expo.
Other members include representatives of the ministry’s technical departments and major maritime agencies and institutions, 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 Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).
The committee also draws membership from 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 industry stakeholders are also included to ensure broad participation in the planning and execution of the expo.
According to the ministry, the committee’s multi-agency structure is designed to strengthen coordination across the maritime sector and connect investors with credible investment opportunities supported by government policies.
NIMBEX will focus on several strategic 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 will also highlight emerging opportunities in marine renewable energy, green shipbuilding, artificial intelligence-powered logistics, subsea robotics and coastal tourism.
Beyond showcasing investment opportunities, the initiative is expected to promote partnerships among government institutions, private-sector operators, financial institutions and technology companies while encouraging sustainable exploitation of Nigeria’s marine resources.
The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy said the expo represents a strategic step towards unlocking the sector’s economic potential, strengthening Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness and positioning the country to attract a greater share of regional and global blue economy investments.
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