At the recent 14th Annual Conference of the Nigeria Institution of Maritime Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA) held in Port Harcourt, maritime engineers highlighted critical issues affecting Nigeria’s blue economy, which is currently underperforming. National Chairman Eferebo Sylvanus emphasized that with the right structural adjustments, the maritime sector has the potential to generate up to N1 trillion annually. He pointed out that despite Nigeria’s extensive coastline, inland waterways totaling 10,000 kilometers, and a growing pool of maritime talent, the sector suffers from weak standards, fragmented regulations, and a reliance on foreign technical certifications.
Eferebo stressed the importance of achieving technical sovereignty. He lamented Nigeria’s dependence on foreign expertise to standardize and certify tools, which limits the operational capability of local engineers and cadets. To unlock the sector’s potential, he called for a comprehensive national vision for maritime development that leverages the country’s human capital and fosters a structured pathway for growth. He also highlighted the vital role of digital transformation and smart solutions in addressing operational hurdles.
Supporting these points, Saddiq Abubakar, President of the Council for the Registration of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN), outlined various structural weaknesses in the maritime sector. These include the prevalence of substandard marine engines, insufficient shipyard capabilities, a poor maintenance culture, and inadequate enforcement of engineering and marine standards. Abubakar warned that these deficiencies harm operational efficiency, drive up costs, increase safety risks, and ultimately hinder Nigeria’s participation in the global maritime value chain.
To address these challenges and enhance Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness, Abubakar advocated for improved standardization and stricter compliance enforcement. He noted that such measures could lead to the development of more durable vessels, enhance export possibilities for local shipyards, and lower maintenance costs.
The keynote speaker, Aladenusi Olugbemiro, underscored the necessity of digital transformation in building a globally competitive maritime industry, commending NIMENA for facilitating discussions that prioritize national maritime issues. The conference ultimately concluded with a consensus on the need for coordinated policy development, capacity building, and increased investment in technology and standards to ensure Nigeria’s maritime sector can fully realize its economic potential.
In summary, the conference emphasized the importance of addressing structural challenges and fostering innovation in Nigeria’s maritime industry. By achieving technical sovereignty and enhancing operational standards, Nigeria could significantly improve its blue economy, positioning itself as a competitor on the global maritime stage.
