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Experts Warn Nigeria Over Weak Maritime Infrastructure Gaps
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.
Also read: Lekki Deep Seaport access road boosts maritime confidence
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.
Also read: Maritime Agents Shut MSC Apapa Office Over Freight Hike
Highpoint of the conference was the induction of 40 students into
Tinubu food prices are monitored through regular briefings, presidential aide Abiodun Essiet says, as Nigerians continue to face cost-of-living pressures
President Bola Tinubu is aware of the prices of everyday food items, including eggs and bread, and receives regular briefings on the economic challenges facing Nigerians, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for the North-Central region, Dr Abiodun Essiet, has said.
Also read:FG Urges Investment in Youth, SMEs and Local Industries to Grow Economy
Essiet made the remarks while speaking to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, dismissing suggestions that journalists were the only people who understood the hardship experienced by ordinary Nigerians.
She also serves as the President’s representative for the North Central Citizens’ Assembly.
“I don’t feel it’s only media people who understand what the people are facing. Some of the reality of what our people are facing is what we are communicating to Mr President,” she said.
Essiet added that the President and members of the Federal Executive Council were regularly informed about the cost of basic commodities and the challenges confronting households.
“I usually tell people, you think Mr President doesn’t know the price of egg or bread in the market? He does, because we brief him regularly, and so do members of the Federal Executive Council,” she said.
The presidential aide also highlighted infrastructure development as a key component of the administration’s agenda, citing public reactions during a visit to a section of the Mokwa-Bida road in Niger State.
According to her, residents turned out in large numbers during the visit because of longstanding concerns about the condition of the road and calls for its rehabilitation.
“Yes, infrastructure is the bedrock of any development. When we went to the Mokwa-Bida road, come and see the crowd, because that is the road that people have been calling for Mr President to address,” she said.
Essiet claimed that the road had last been awarded for construction 46 years ago and highlighted the dangers motorists and other road users faced while navigating the route.
“Do you know how many people have died trying to manoeuvre that road? Trailers have had accidents trying to manoeuvre that road,” she added.
She said Tinubu had directed that the road be reconstructed using reinforced concrete rather than conventional asphalt, with the aim of improving its durability.
“Mr President said they should award the contract and make sure that the contract will be reinforced concrete, not just asphalt,” Essiet stated.
Her comments come amid continued public concern over food affordability and the cost of living.
On October 19, Vice President Kashim Shettima expressed optimism that food prices would decline in the coming weeks as the administration responds to challenges affecting agriculture.
Shettima made the statement at a forum titled “Together till 2027: An Evening with Original City Boy”, organised by the City Boy Movement alongside the Relax-Tinubu-Is-Fixing-Nigeria movement, groups supporting the President’s re-election bid.
Also read:FG Urges Investment in Youth, SMEs and Local Industries to Grow Economy
Essiet was appointed Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for the North-Central region in 2024.
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