Experts warn Nigeria risks losing Blue Economy gains without urgent investment in manpower, security and port efficiency across the maritime sector

Maritime stakeholders in Nigeria on Friday raised fresh concerns over the country’s readiness to fully harness its Blue Economy potential, warning that weak investment in manpower development, maritime security and port efficiency could continue to undermine economic gains.

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The warning came during discussions at the 2nd International Conference on Maritime Trade and Transport 2026, held at the Petroleum Training Institute Conference Centre in Effurun, Delta State, where industry leaders gathered to assess Nigeria’s maritime future.

The Nigeria Blue Economy maritime warnings dominated the event themed “The Nigerian Maritime Sector: Harnessing the Potentials, Challenges and Future Trends,” with experts urging stronger policy execution and improved infrastructure across the sector.

President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Nigeria, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, said Nigeria’s vast coastline and multiple seaports had not translated into commensurate maritime power, despite the country’s natural advantages.

“Nigeria is a maritime nation but not yet a maritime power. We have several seaports, but there has not been substantial progress in the sector,” Oyeyemi said, stressing that inefficiencies in logistics and policy implementation continue to limit growth.

He called for urgent reforms to strengthen infrastructure and improve coordination within the maritime ecosystem, noting that the sector remains critical to national economic diversification.

Delivering the keynote address, retired Commodore Kingdom Itoko identified human factors as a major challenge in maritime security, despite what he described as adequate equipment to combat threats on Nigeria’s waterways.

According to him, sustaining maritime safety will require continuous training and behavioural reform among operators in the sector, alongside improved institutional discipline.

“We must continue to train young professionals who can sustain the sector and secure our maritime environment for future economic growth,” he said.

Founder and President of Global Maritime Academy, Ejiro Onakughotor, said the institution was created to support government efforts under the Blue Economy policy by building competent maritime manpower for the industry.

He explained that the academy focuses on combining theory with practical training to produce graduates capable of meeting global industry demands.

Earlier, in a welcome address delivered by Prof Kenneth U Nnadi, the conference highlighted the importance of the maritime sector as a key driver of global trade, while noting the growing relevance of sustainability within the Blue Economy framework.

Nnadi explained that modern maritime development now integrates environmental protection, innovation and long term economic planning to ensure sector resilience.

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Highpoint of the conference was the induction of 40 students into