Oyetola Inaugurates NIMBEX Committee, Targets Maritime Investment Boom

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has inaugurated the Organising Committee for the Nigeria Marine and Blue Economy Expo (NIMBEX), a strategic initiative aimed at positioning Nigeria as a premier destination for maritime investment, innovation, and trade in Africa.

The expo is expected to convene policymakers, global investors, industry leaders, and technology innovators to support the Federal Government’s drive to unlock the vast economic potential of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.

Speaking at the inauguration, Oyetola — represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Fatima Mahmood — said the initiative would provide a platform to transform Nigeria’s maritime advantages into tangible investment opportunities, economic growth, and job creation.

“Nigeria’s marine and blue economy holds enormous potential to drive diversification, attract investment, and create sustainable employment. NIMBEX will provide a strategic platform to bring together the capital, expertise, and partnerships needed to unlock these opportunities,” the minister stated.

With an 853-kilometre coastline, over 10,000 kilometres of navigable inland waterways across 28 states, and a substantial domestic market, Nigeria possesses significant assets to strengthen its role in regional and international maritime trade.

The NIMBEX Organising Committee is chaired by Mr. Husseini Shettima, Director of Marine Conservation, Innovation and Technology at the ministry. Co-chairpersons include Hajia Kalthum Ibrahim, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, and Professor Busayo Fakinlede, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Marine and Blue Economy. The minister’s Special Adviser, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, will serve as a member and Chief Operating Officer of the expo.

Other members represent key agencies such as the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, National Inland Waterways Authority, and the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, alongside academic and research institutions including the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, and the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research.

The multi-agency composition is designed to ensure coordinated planning and execution while connecting investors with credible, policy-backed opportunities across the sector.

NIMBEX will spotlight priority areas including port development, shipping, inland waterways, logistics, offshore energy, maritime finance, fisheries, biotechnology, security, and environmental sustainability. It will also showcase emerging opportunities in marine renewable energy, green shipbuilding, AI-driven logistics, subsea robotics, and coastal tourism.

Beyond investment prospects, the expo aims to foster collaboration among government, industry, financial institutions, and technology stakeholders, while promoting sustainable approaches to harnessing Nigeria’s marine resources.