Maritime
Nigeria’s Blue Economy Must Focus on Skills and Governance, Caribbean Expert Warns at OAUSTECH
Nigeria must invest in maritime skills, align ocean governance and empower local businesses if it hopes to build a sustainable blue economy.
That was the central message delivered by Professor Andrew Spencer, President of Caribbean Maritime University, during the 9th Convocation Lecture of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) in Okitipupa, Ondo State.
Speaking on Wednesday, March 4, Professor Spencer outlined what he described as the “Three Cs” needed for a sustainable blue economy — Capacity, Coherence and Collaboration.
Why It Matters
Nigeria sits within the strategically vital Gulf of Guinea, a region central to offshore energy, fisheries, maritime trade and regional security.
The Federal Government has repeatedly signalled its intention to diversify the economy through ocean-based industries.
But Professor Spencer warned that infrastructure alone would not secure economic sovereignty.
“Ports, vessels, and digital systems create opportunity only when nations possess the skills to operate, regulate, and improve them,” he said.
He added:
“The success of a blue economy is shaped less by the scale of its infrastructure and more by the quality of its people, the alignment of its institutions, and the inclusiveness of its economic design.”
Capacity: “Infrastructure Without Human Capital Produces Dependency”
Drawing lessons from Caribbean port modernisation efforts since the late 1990s, Professor Spencer said many countries improved terminals and increased cargo traffic but failed to develop indigenous expertise at the same pace.
He explained that while ownership of assets often remained national, operational control and strategic data management frequently shifted to foreign operators.
The result, he said, was “structural dependence”.
Maritime universities, he argued, must be seen as strategic national assets rather than peripheral institutions.
A 2024 tracer study from the Caribbean Maritime University showed 45% of graduates secured employment before graduation, 71% within six months, and 81% within nine months — figures he cited as proof that industry-aligned education strengthens economic resilience.
For Nigeria, he said, the implication is “both direct and urgent”.
“Infrastructure can be imported. Capital can be mobilised. Partnerships can be negotiated, but institutional knowledge and maritime competence must be built from within.”
Coherence: The Risk of Fragmented Governance
Professor Spencer also cautioned against fragmented maritime governance.
In the Caribbean, regional coordination existed through CARICOM, but enforcement, surveillance and data systems remained uneven across jurisdictions.
This fragmentation, he said, weakened regulatory authority and made governance reactive rather than strategic.
For Nigeria, with its size and influence in West Africa, the stakes are even higher.
“In a region as resource-intensive and strategically exposed as the Gulf of Guinea, fragmentation would magnify risks rather than contain them,” he warned.
Collaboration: Bringing SMEs into the Fold
The third pillar of the lecture focused on collaboration and value capture.
Professor Spencer said economic growth does not automatically translate into local prosperity when small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are excluded from high-value maritime activities.
He cited Jamaica’s Special Economic Zones framework as an example of how port-adjacent infrastructure can integrate local firms into global value chains.
For Nigeria, he suggested deliberate integration of local SMEs into logistics, vessel services, fisheries processing, storage, tourism and port support services.
“When blue-economy investments build SME capacity, skills and ownership, growth becomes inclusive, resilient and durable,” he said.
What’s Next?
Nigeria has announced several blue economy initiatives in recent years, including plans to strengthen maritime education and develop coastal infrastructure.
Professor Spencer concluded that the question is no longer whether the blue economy will grow but who will own it, who will govern it, and who will benefit from it.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said digital transformation could play a key role in increasing women’s participation in the maritime industry across West Africa.
The agency’s Director General, Dayo Mobereola, made the call during a regional symposium in Lagos focused on digitalisation and women’s empowerment in the maritime sector.
The event was organised by NIMASA in collaboration with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Ghana.
Officials, maritime professionals, academics and civil society groups attended the gathering to discuss opportunities and challenges linked to digitalisation in the sector.
Why It Matters
The maritime industry is central to trade and economic development in West Africa, particularly within the Gulf of Guinea, one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors.
However, women remain significantly underrepresented in maritime jobs, especially in technical and leadership roles.
Experts say digital technology could reduce physical barriers and create new entry points through remote learning, automation and data-driven operations.
Digitalisation as an “Equaliser”
Speaking at the event, Mobereola represented by NIMASA’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration Chudi Offodile said digitalisation could help address gender imbalance in the industry.
According to him:
“Digitalization acts as the great equalizer, shifting the industry’s centre of gravity from physical strength to intellectual agility and technical precision.”
He added:
“Through digital platforms and e-learning systems, a young woman in a rural West African town can access the same training modules as anyone in the more advanced parts of the world.”
Mobereola also noted that global maritime operations are being reshaped by technology.
“Our maritime sector is undergoing profound transformation driven by digital technologies, automation, data systems and smart logistics.”
He said the changes are affecting how ships operate, how ports function and how maritime administrations regulate the industry.
Regional Security and Inclusion
The Deputy Commandant of KAIPTC, Zibrim Ayorrogo Bawah, stressed that women must be part of the evolving maritime ecosystem.
He highlighted the strategic importance of the Gulf of Guinea maritime domain and the need for inclusive participation in shaping its future.
“Women’s participation in maritime affairs has historically been limited by socio-cultural and institutional barriers,” he said.
“Yet their involvement brings diverse perspectives and solutions vital for holistic maritime governance.”
International Collaboration
The symposium was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and the Inter-Regional Coordination Centre for Maritime Safety and Security (ICC).
Participants explored policy frameworks aimed at expanding women’s role in maritime security, governance and digital operations.
Discussions also focused on training programmes that could equip women with digital maritime skills.
What’s Next
Stakeholders say the conversations from the symposium could help shape new policies to strengthen gender equality across the maritime sector.
Participants are also expected to build stronger collaboration among governments, regional institutions and private-sector players to promote inclusive maritime development.
For West Africa’s shipping industry, experts say the challenge now lies in turning digital innovation into real opportunities for women.
Maritime
Nigeria Customs launches analytics centre at Apapa Port to strengthen anti-smuggling operations
The Nigeria Customs Service has commissioned a new analytics centre at the Apapa Port, aimed at strengthening intelligence-based operations and improving the welfare of customs officers.
The facility, located at the Nigeria Customs Service Apapa Area Command, was unveiled during a ceremony attended by senior customs officials, industry stakeholders and port operators.
Speaking at the event, the Customs Area Controller described the development as a major milestone for the command.
“It is with great joy and profound gratitude to the Almighty that I welcome you all to the flagship Command of the NCS today,” he said.
“We are honoured by your presence to witness a landmark event in the history of this Command. Today, we are not just commissioning a building; we are flagging off a new era of intelligence-driven customs operations and improved welfare for our officers.”
Inside the new facility
The two-storey complex has been named the CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Analytical Arena, in honour of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Officials say the building was designed as a technology-driven operations hub to support modern customs intelligence and border security.
According to the Area Controller, the facility will host several strategic units.
“These include the state-of-the-art Analytics Centre of Excellence, the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), the Command’s Clinic to ensure the health and well-being of our personnel, and other key strategic offices,” he said.
Why it matters
Apapa Port handles a large share of Nigeria’s imports and exports, making it a critical hub for revenue generation and border control.
Customs authorities say the analytics centre will help officers analyse cargo data, detect suspicious trade patterns and strengthen anti-smuggling operations.
“This infrastructure reflects the vision of our Comptroller-General to leverage modern technology and analytics to fight smuggling, secure our nation and facilitate legitimate trade,” the controller added.
Industry observers say improved intelligence systems could also speed up cargo processing and reduce delays for legitimate businesses.
Partnership behind the project
Customs officials said the project was made possible through collaboration with industry partners under the Customs-PACT (Partnership for Cooperation in Trade) initiative.
The Area Controller thanked stakeholders for their support.
“This project is a tangible success story of the Customs-PACT as championed by our CGC,” he said.
“Your collaboration has been instrumental in turning this vision into reality. Your willingness to partner with us demonstrates a shared commitment to building a stronger, safer and more prosperous Nigeria.”
He added that the transformation achieved at the command would not have been possible without stakeholder support.
Recognition for customs leadership
The controller also praised the leadership of the Customs Comptroller-General for prioritising technology and officer welfare.
“I must also appreciate the CGC for your purpose-driven leadership, unwavering support and for prioritising the welfare as well as operational efficiency of officers at the Command level,” he said.
“Naming this building after you is a testament to your dedication to duty and the inspiration you provide to all of us.”
What’s next
Customs officials say the new centre will serve as a model for technology-driven operations across other commands.
They believe intelligence-led monitoring of trade flows will improve national security, boost government revenue and facilitate legitimate commerce.
Maritime
NIMASA DG Dayo Mobereola Celebrates Women Driving Nigeria’s Maritime Growth on International Women’s Day
The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dayo Mobereola, has praised the growing role of women in Nigeria’s maritime sector, saying their contributions are helping drive innovation and sustainable industry growth.
His remarks came as the world marked International Women’s Day 2026, a global event that highlights gender equality and the need to empower women across industries.
In a goodwill message issued to commemorate the day, Mobereola described women as key drivers of progress within the maritime ecosystem.
“I celebrate your strength, expertise, and invaluable contributions to our maritime industry,” he said.
Why it matters
Nigeria’s maritime sector is central to the country’s economy, handling the majority of international trade through its ports and shipping activities.
Experts say increasing women’s participation in the industry can strengthen leadership diversity, boost innovation and expand the workforce in critical maritime roles.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain,” emphasises investment in women through education, mentorship and economic opportunities.
According to Mobereola, women’s commitment to excellence continues to shape the sector.
“The theme #GiveToGain reflects your daily impact,” he said.
“Through your professionalism, leadership, and resilience across sea-going, regulatory, technical, and administrative roles, you give excellence and our sector gains progress, innovation, and sustainable growth.”
Industry voices
Maritime analysts say the sector is gradually becoming more inclusive, although challenges remain.
Dr Mobereola also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening opportunities for women within the industry.
He said the agency is working towards “a maritime industry where every woman is empowered to lead and thrive”.
Across Nigeria’s ports, shipping companies and maritime institutions, more women are now taking up roles previously dominated by men, from marine engineering to port management.
Advocates say sustained policy support and training opportunities will be critical to accelerating that progress.
Global context
International Women’s Day is observed annually to spotlight the achievements of women while drawing attention to barriers that still limit equality.
The 2026 theme highlights the importance of investing in women as a pathway to economic and social growth.
Advocates argue that empowering women not only benefits individuals but also strengthens communities, industries and national economies.
What’s next
Industry stakeholders say maritime regulators and companies must expand leadership opportunities, training programmes and mentorship platforms for women.
Such efforts, they say, could help Nigeria tap a broader talent pool while positioning the country’s maritime sector for long-term competitiveness.
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