Nigeria’s vast ocean resources offer a lifeline to economic transformation — but only if stakeholders unite to harness the power of the blue economy, says the Director General of the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION), Rear Admiral Thaddeus Udofia (rtd).
Udofia made this known at the opening of the Institute’s flagship Senior Executive Course on Maritime Security and Global Trade in Abuja, where maritime leaders, security experts, and trade officials gathered to explore ways to secure and unlock Nigeria’s maritime potential.
“Our ocean space is rich with opportunity, but no single agency can do it alone,” Udofia said. “Strategic collaboration, not silo thinking, is what will position Nigeria as a dominant force in the global maritime space.”
With over 80 percent of world trade conducted via sea routes, Udofia said maritime security and governance are central to sustainable development. He warned that without adequate protection, Nigeria’s waterways could remain vulnerable to piracy, illegal fishing, and environmental degradation.
He pointed to the daily movement of over 40,000 vessels worldwide as a reminder of the scale and potential value Nigeria stands to gain — or lose.
He said: “Unlocking the Blue Economy demands a commitmen to tackle the hard issues and the requires effective inter agency cooperation, coordination and collaboration. This Executive Course is predicate on the understanding that alone we can do so little ; but together we can do so much.”
The Senior Executive Course, he explained, aligns with the broader vision of President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Navy’s leadership to build a secure and prosperous blue economy. Topics include modern maritime threats, global logistics, legal frameworks, and the use of data and innovation in maritime operations.
Speaking earlier, Executive Director of Administration, Commodore Isa Ahmed (rtd), said the Institute is working to reframe maritime policy and build stakeholder trust through education, advocacy, and partnership.
“This sector can change Nigeria’s economic trajectory if we get it right,” Ahmed said. “But getting it right means building the right policies, the right skills, and the right alliances.”
The event drew widespread participation from government agencies, private sector players, and regional stakeholders, highlighting the rising importance of the blue economy in Nigeria’s future.
, Rear Admiral Thaddeus Udofia (rtd).){kind=link}