Industry leaders in Nigeria’s maritime say collaboration among all key sectors of the economy and engagement from all levels of government is necessary if Nigeria must compete globally.
“It’s a multistakeholder issue that requires collaboration across various stakeholders. The silo approach does not work,” stated Mfon Usoro, National President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT) Nigeria, during BusinessDay’s maritime conference in Lagos in 2025.
This year, the marine and blue economy sector introduced an ambitious ten-year policy aimed at achieving an annual growth target of 7 percent and creating 100,000 new jobs each year.
Usoro proposed a “whole-of-government” approach to integrated planning and execution. She explained that this strategy would involve incorporating the blue economy into national and local government policies and programs.
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“It has to be regarded as a national project for it to become a reality,” Usoro emphasised. She added that it is the responsibility of every sector to view the maritime sector as an “enabler” of growth in other areas. “All stakeholders need to come together to take action,” she noted.
Regarding funding, as Nigeria looks to bonds to relieve a constrained budget, experts suggest that collaborative support from other ministries is essential.
“I’m not sure that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) can independently raise a bond. If the NPA cannot do it alone, then the Ministry of Finance, for example, must be involved. This also includes the Minister for Trade. All these elements need to work together,” said Oluwafikayo Ogunrinde, representing Echefu Ukattah, head of Maritime Practice at Olaniwun Ajayi LP.
“Our call for new funding is in cooperation with the relevant agencies, ministries, and government bodies, so we can start advocating for improvements,” she added.
Patricia Igwebuike, Commissioner for Transport in Anambra State, stated that her office is also contributing to this effort. “Most of the imports into the eastern parts of Nigeria come through Anambra State. We recognize the poor condition of our roads. Everyone must work together to ensure that Onitsha River complements the other ports in Nigeria,” she explained.
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Usoro agreed, saying, “We don’t have adequate road infrastructure to connect terminals to manufacturers, markets, and farms. As a result, we invest in dredging that ultimately does not benefit us. The Minister for Works needs to be involved, and even security must be part of the conversation.”
Usoro noted the lack of Nigerian ownership in seagoing vessels. In 2021, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) reported that 4,100 vessels called at the nation’s ports, but “none of them flew the Nigerian flag,” she stated. “These are markets that Nigeria must enter.”
Experts agree that a comprehensive approach is necessary to enhance competitiveness in shipping. They suggested that import taxes imposed on shipowners be eliminated. Just as zero import taxes have benefited the aviation sector, the same should apply to shipping.”
