The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has reiterated the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s indigenous shipping industry, declaring that there will be no going back on efforts to make local operators globally competitive.
Dr. Oyetola gave the assurance on Tuesday when he received members of the Nigeria Maritime Exhibition and Conference (NIMAREX) Planning Committee in his office in Abuja.
The delegation, led by Mr. Sola Adewunmi, Chairman of the Committee and President of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), included Ms. Funmi Folorunso, the Committee’s Secretary, and Mr. Tounbo Ogunwale, Director of Government Relations. The visit was to seek the Ministry’s partnership and support for NIMAREX 2025, scheduled to hold in Lagos from November 17 to 19, 2025.
Commending the committee for reviving the once-dormant NIMAREX platform, Dr. Oyetola described the initiative as a strategic forum for collaboration, investment promotion, and knowledge exchange within Nigeria’s maritime industry.
He emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is taking decisive measures to create a business-friendly environment for indigenous shipowners, resolve longstanding structural bottlenecks, and unlock the full potential of the maritime and blue economy sectors.
“Our commitment to indigenous shipping is total and irreversible,” the Minister stated.
“The Federal Government is working round the clock to implement the right policies, funding mechanisms, and infrastructure that will empower Nigerian shipowners to compete favourably on the global stage. There is no going back on this commitment.”
Dr. Oyetola further noted that the government’s goal is to see Nigerian-owned vessels flying the national flag and operating sustainably within coastal waters and beyond, adding that such progress will create jobs, retain value within the economy, and strengthen the maritime sector through local capacity development.
Earlier, Mr. Adewunmi commended the Minister for his visionary leadership and inclusive stakeholder engagement, noting that the revival of NIMAREX aligns with the government’s renewed drive to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) into the maritime and blue economy sectors.
“NIMAREX is back bigger, broader, and better aligned with national objectives,” he said. “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 also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, describing it as a visionary step that has restored confidence among shipowners and investors in Nigeria’s maritime potential.
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