The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, on Thursday commissioned the Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS) Multipurpose Building at the University of Lagos, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria's drive to develop human capital for its maritime and blue economy sectors.
The facility, fully funded and equipped by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), features modern lecture rooms, specialized laboratories, and dedicated spaces designed to support comprehensive teaching, research, and innovation in the maritime domain. The Minister described the project as a concrete manifestation of the Federal Government's resolve to strengthen institutional capacity and position the blue economy as a central pillar of national prosperity.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Dr. Oyetola underscored the strategic importance of maritime trade to Nigeria's economic landscape, noting that over 90 percent of the country's international trade flows through maritime channels. He emphasized that the sector serves as a critical enabler for economic diversification, employment generation, and sustainable national development.
The Minister provided a detailed overview of ongoing efforts to build indigenous maritime manpower. Under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), 2,459 Nigerians have received sponsorship to pursue maritime training at institutions spanning the United Kingdom, Egypt, the Philippines, India, and Romania. Of this number, 1,088 beneficiaries have successfully obtained their Certificates of Competency, qualifying them for international seafaring positions.
Dr. Oyetola also highlighted the significant potential within Nigeria's fisheries and aquaculture subsector, pointing to the country's annual fish demand of 3.6 million metric tonnes as presenting substantial opportunities for food security enhancement and employment creation.
Regarding infrastructure and fleet development, the Minister outlined the anticipated impact of the planned Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) disbursement, which is projected to boost indigenous shipping capacity and generate up to 30,000 direct jobs within the maritime sector. He further noted that ongoing port modernization initiatives are expected to produce up to 20,000 employment opportunities for young Nigerians while substantially improving port efficiency, reducing vessel turnaround times, and strengthening Nigeria's competitive positioning as a premier maritime hub in West and Central Africa.
NIMASA Director-General Dr. Dayo Mobereola emphasized that the agency has established partnerships with eight Nigerian universities and maintains collaborative arrangements with international institutions including the World Maritime University to ensure comprehensive maritime manpower development. He stressed that cultivating a skilled offshore workforce will enhance Nigeria's global competitiveness, reduce dependence on foreign maritime expertise, and generate sustainable employment pathways for professionals across the sector.
The Director-General noted that the NIMASA–UNILAG partnership will specifically support enhanced research capabilities, data-driven policymaking, and the production of industry-ready graduates equipped to meet evolving demands across shipping, port operations, and maritime governance.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, described the new facility as a transformative addition that will significantly enhance teaching, research, and professional training capabilities in maritime law, shipping management, port operations, logistics, and marine environmental studies.