By Amina Ojelabi
The Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) made a landmark comeback on Monday, November 17, 2025, at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos reuniting global players, policymakers, and industry leaders to redefine Nigeria’s maritime future.
With the theme, “Repositioning the Nigeria Maritime Industry: The Need for Strategic Collaboration for Sustainable Growth and Global Competitiveness,” the revamped expo signals a renewed national commitment to unlocking opportunities within the nation’s oceans and waterways.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Planning Committee, Otunba Sola Adewunmi, described the expo’s return as the revival of a vision introduced in 2011 to showcase Nigeria’s maritime potential. Though NIMAREX paused after 2014, he noted that the ideas it championed have continued to shape policy particularly the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Adewunmi expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for establishing the new ministry and commended the Honourable Minister, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, for championing the relaunch.
“NIMAREX is the voice of the Nigerian maritime industry—our platform to engage, innovate, and chart a pathway to sustainable growth,” he declared.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, Represented by Prof. Busayo Fakinlade described NIMAREX 2025 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s economic transformation.
“Our oceans and waterways are strategic national assets capable of driving innovation, jobs, sustainability, and economic resilience,” he said.
He outlined key achievements since the ministry’s establishment in August 2023, including:
Presidential approval to fully modernize Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port, with Eastern Ports upgrade ongoing
Record-breaking ₦1.39 trillion revenue in 2024 ; Advancing plans for a private-sector-led national shipping line ; Growth in local fish production from 1.1m to 1.4m metric tonnes ; Full gazetting of the Inland Water Safety Code after 40 years ; Sustained maritime security with three years of zero piracy due to the Deep Blue Project.
The Minister emphasized that Nigeria has only scratched the surface of its blue economy potential, urging deeper collaboration across shipping, maritime technology, aquaculture, port operations, ocean energy, and coastal tourism.
He formally declared the expo open, calling it “a new chapter of partnership, innovation, and sustainable national prosperity.”
Chairman of the event, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the Olubadan of Ibadan, delivered a strong call for the restoration of Nigeria’s national shipping fleet—arguing that ship ownership remains the backbone of any serious maritime nation.
Nigeria, he warned, cannot continue to rely entirely on foreign vessels to move its cargo.
“Our dependence undermines national security, economic growth, and job creation,” the monarch said.
He recalled a period when Nigeria owned 30 vessels, directly supporting 1,800 families. Had the fleet grown as projected, Nigeria could now be operating over 1,000 vessels, he noted.
“Nigerian officers, captains, and engineers are among the best globally,” the Olubadan stated.
“They are not asking for handouts only for fair policies and opportunities.”
He urged the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to engage shipowners more closely and dismantle barriers to ship financing, cargo allocation, and indigenous participation.
Pledging his personal support financial and institutional the monarch stressed:
“There is immense wealth in shipping. The cargo is ours, the resources are ours, and the jobs must be ours. No country will build our maritime destiny for us.”
He called for intensified collaboration among maritime associations to reposition Nigeria as a leading blue economy hub in Africa.
NIMAREX 2025 continues over the next two days with exhibitions, investment forums, policy roundtables, and high-level business engagements all targeted at expanding Nigeria’s influence in the global maritime space.
As stakeholders converge, one message rings loud and clear:
Nigeria is ready to reclaim its maritime leadership and NIMAREX is the launchpad
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