The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s indigenous shipping industry, declaring that there is no going back on efforts to reposition local operators for global competitiveness.
He said the Federal Government is working around the clock to put in place the right policies, funding mechanisms, and infrastructure that will enable Nigerian shipowners to compete favourably, not just locally but on the international stage.
Oyetola gave the assurance on Tuesday when he received a delegation from the Nigeria Maritime Exhibition and Conference (NIMAREX) planning committee in his office in Abuja, who solicited the Ministry’s support for NIMAREX 2025, scheduled to take place in Lagos from November 17 to 19, 2025.
The delegation, led by the Chairman of the Committee and President of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Mr Sola Adewunmi, also included the Secretary of the Committee, Ms Funmi Folorunso, and the Director of Government Relations, Mr Tokunbo Ogunwale.
Oyetola commended the committee for reviving the once-dormant NIMAREX platform and said the government views the event as a crucial avenue for collaboration, investment promotion, and knowledge exchange within the maritime sector.
He assured that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is taking decisive steps to create a conducive operating environment for indigenous shipowners, address longstanding structural challenges, and unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s maritime domain.
According to him, the Federal Government is determined to see Nigerian-owned vessels flying the national flag and operating sustainably within the coastal waters and beyond.
He said this will create jobs, retain value within the nation’s economy, and build a stronger maritime nation anchored on local capacity.
Earlier, Adewunmi stated that NIMAREX was revived after several years of inactivity to complement the government’s renewed effort to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into the maritime and blue economy sectors.
He explained that the upcoming edition would serve as a unifying platform for public and private stakeholders to discuss strategies for sustainable growth.
“NIMAREX is back, and this time it is bigger, broader, and better aligned with national objectives. We have the full support of key industry associations, including NISA, the Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), and the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping. Our goal is to position Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in Africa,” Adewunmi said.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. He commended the minister for his visionary leadership and inclusive approach to engaging stakeholders in implementing the Blue Economy agenda, noting that the minister’s support has rekindled confidence among shipowners and investors alike.
