Modereola: NIMASA Repositioning New Generation for Blue Economy Growth

Nigeria's youth are central to the nation's ambition to become Africa's Blue Giant, according to Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). Speaking at the 10th Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime (TAAM) Lecture at the University of Lagos, Mobereola emphasized that the younger generation will drive Nigeria's Blue Economy policy.

“

Nigerian youths remain at the heart of the country’s Marine and Blue Economy Policy, stressing that Nigeria’s ambition to become Africa’s Blue Giant will be driven by the younger generation.

Represented by Mrs. Nneka Obianyor, Director of Reforms Coordination and Blue Economy, Mobereola commended SIFAX Group for sustaining the TAAM lecture initiative. He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Blue Economy Agenda is key to economic diversification. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has tasked NIMASA with equipping young Nigerians for the sector's growth.

NIMASA's youth-focused programs include the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), the new Blue Economy Accelerator Initiative, and skills acquisition centers across the country. The agency is also establishing Institutes of Maritime Studies in select universities. Mobereola described these as strategic interventions designed to build capacity, create jobs, and foster innovation among Nigerian youth.

“

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Blue Economy Agenda is central to economic diversification and that the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, has mandated NIMASA to equip young Nigerians with the skills and opportunities to drive the sector.

In a related session, NIMASA engaged doctoral and master's students from the University of Lagos in a knowledge-sharing event led by Ms. Gloria Anyasodo, Director of Cabotage Services. This interaction underscores the agency's commitment to involving the academic community in its blue economy development plans.

“

the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), newly introduced Blue Economy Accelerator Initiative, skills acquisition centres located in the six-geopolitical zones and the establishment of Institute of Maritime Studies in some Nigerian universities; describing them as strategic interventions to build capacity, create jobs, and encourage innovation among young Nigerians.