The Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) has declared that Nigeria’s maritime sector possesses the capacity to rival the oil and gas industry as a major source of national revenue, as preparations intensify for the 2026 Nigerian Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) scheduled to hold in Lagos from November 17 to 18.
Members of the Nigerian Ship Owners Association(NISA) at NISA Lagos Sectariat
Speaking in an interview in Lagos on Friday, NISA President and Chairman of the NIMAREX 2026 Planning Committee, Sola Adewunmi, said arrangements for the biennial maritime exhibition were already in top gear following the successful revival of the event in 2024 after years of inactivity.
Adewunmi described NIMAREX as a comprehensive industry platform designed to showcase opportunities across the entire maritime value chain, stressing that the event extends beyond the interests of shipowners.
“NIMAREX is an industry event. Although the initiative originated from the Nigerian Shipowners Association, it encompasses every aspect of the maritime industry,” he said.
According to him, the expo provides a strategic platform for local and international stakeholders to explore investment opportunities in shipping, ports, logistics, maritime services, and the blue economy.
“It is a platform where we showcase the opportunities available in Nigeria for investors and industry players across the world to see and bring investment into the country,” he added.
President of Nigeria Ship Owners Association Dr. Sola Adewunmi
The NISA president noted that the maritime industry holds enormous potential for investment, wealth creation, and job generation if properly harnessed.
He attributed the prolonged suspension of NIMAREX in previous years to funding constraints and misconceptions about the ownership of the event.
“There was silence for some time, but we brought back NIMAREX last year,” Adewunmi said.
He explained that while government support was robust during the early editions of the expo, participation gradually waned, forcing NISA to shoulder much of the financial responsibility for the 2024 edition.
According to him, many industry stakeholders wrongly perceived NIMAREX as a shipowners-only initiative, a misconception that affected sponsorship and participation.
To ensure the success of the 2026 edition, Adewunmi said NISA was engaging government institutions, maritime agencies, private sector operators, and international partners to broaden stakeholder involvement and secure greater support.
“We are getting closer to the authorities and stakeholders for them to continue with what they started years back,” he said.
“We want everyone to understand that NIMAREX belongs to the entire maritime industry. The more stakeholders participate, the stronger the event becomes.”
Adewunmi disclosed that the 2026 expo would place significant emphasis on attracting foreign investment by highlighting Nigeria’s strategic position as a gateway to West and Central Africa, as well as the vast opportunities available in shipping, port operations, logistics, and maritime services.
On economic diversification, he urged the Federal Government to leverage the expertise of seasoned maritime professionals in policy formulation and implementation to unlock the sector’s full potential.
Describing the maritime industry as one of Nigeria’s most underutilised economic assets, Adewunmi said the sector could significantly boost government revenue while creating thousands of jobs.
“Apart from oil and gas, maritime is the next big thing in Nigeria. If we revitalise this industry, there will definitely be more employment opportunities, and government revenue will increase substantially,” he said.
“What the maritime industry can generate for Nigeria cannot be compared with many other sectors of the economy.”
He expressed optimism that with the right policies, stronger stakeholder collaboration, and sustained investment, the maritime sector could emerge as a major pillar of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda and long-term development strategy.
For Adewunmi, NIMAREX 2026 is more than an industry gathering; it is a strategic platform aimed at positioning the maritime sector as a critical driver of Nigeria’s post-oil economy.
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