Nigeria's maritime sector is missing out on approximately N1 trillion in annual revenue due to structural weaknesses and excessive reliance on foreign technical expertise, according to industry leaders.
Technical Dependence Hinders Growth Potential
Speaking at the 14th Annual Conference of the Nigeria Institution of Maritime Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA) in Port Harcourt, National Chairman Eferebo Sylvanus delivered a stark assessment of the sector's challenges. Despite Nigeria's extensive 10,000-kilometer inland waterways and long coastline, the country continues to depend heavily on foreign nations for technical certification.
"We are a sovereign nation, but we are not technically sovereign," Eferebo declared. "We still depend on technical expertise from foreign nations, so we cannot even standardise our tools, nor can we certify our tools."
The maritime leader emphasized that Nigerian engineers and cadets must obtain foreign certification to work aboard vessels, highlighting the country's lack of technical independence. He called for a comprehensive national vision for maritime development that would properly harness Nigeria's human capital and create structured growth pathways.
Structural Deficits Undermining Operational Efficiency
Supporting these concerns, Saddiq Abubakar, President of the Council for the Registration of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN), outlined multiple structural problems plaguing the maritime industry. He identified several critical issues including the widespread availability of substandard marine engines and equipment, inadequate shipyard capabilities, poor maintenance practices, and weak enforcement of engineering standards.
"These deficits undermine operational efficiency, increase cost, compliance, and safety risks, reduce fleet availability, and limit Nigeria's participation in the global maritime value chain," Abubakar explained.
The COREN president stressed that improving standardization and strengthening compliance enforcement would significantly boost industrial growth, enhance maritime safety, improve naval protection, and increase Nigeria's global competitiveness. He highlighted potential benefits including better durability for Nigerian-built vessels, expanded export opportunities for local shipyards, and substantial reductions in maintenance costs.
Digital Transformation as Key Solution
Aladenusi Olugbemiro, the conference's keynote speaker, emphasized that digital transformation remains essential for developing a globally competitive maritime industry. He commended NIMENA for fostering crucial dialogue and leadership on national maritime priorities.
The conference concluded with strong calls for coordinated policy development, enhanced capacity building, and increased investment in technology and standards enforcement. Participants agreed that addressing these fundamental issues is critical for Nigeria's maritime sector to finally achieve its full economic potential and claim its rightful place in the global blue economy.
