LAGOS, NIGERIA– The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has inaugurated the multi-purpose structure of the Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
The facility, a landmark donation by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Security Firm (NIMASA), was commissioned on Thursday, April 16, 2026, marking a pivotal step in the federal government’s technique to professionalise Nigeria’s maritime workforce.
Equipped with specialised laboratories, modern-day lecture halls, and research facilities, the brand-new IMS structure is developed to function as a nerve centre for development in port operations, maritime law, and marine ecological research studies.
Throughout the ceremony, Minister Oyetola emphasised that while Nigeria is blessed with vast natural aquatic endowments, the real engine of the blue economy is human capital.
He noted that with 90% of Nigeria’s trade depending on sea-borne channels, the sector is essential to nationwide food security and financial diversity.
Key Workforce Development Stats (NSDP):
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Total Sponsored Seafarers: 2,459 Nigerians trained internationally (UK, Egypt, Philippines, India, Romania).
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Certificates of Proficiency (CoC): 1,088 recipients have actually successfully attained professional certification.
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Task Creation Targets:
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Cabotage Fund (CVFF): Expected to create approximately 30,000 native shipping tasks.
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Port Modernisation: Forecasted to produce 20,000 youth-centred roles.
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A Center for Development at UNILAG
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Teacher Folasade Ogunsola, highlighted that the IMS is now placed to deal with complex market challenges through interdisciplinary research study. The center will particularly improve training in:
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Shipping Management & Logistics
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Maritime Law and Policy
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Port Operations and Performance
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Marine Environmental Sustainability
The Pro-Chancellor, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, included that the university stays dedicated to working together with federal agencies to guarantee that Nigeria decreases its dependence on foreign maritime expertise.
Strategic Agency Partnerships
NIMASA Director-General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, divulged that the firm is currently partnering with 8 Nigerian universities and the World Maritime University to standardise maritime education.
This partnership aims to produce “industry-ready” specialists efficient in managing Nigeria’s overseas resources and boosting the nation’s status as a maritime center for West and Central Africa.
Economic Possible in Fisheries
Beyond shipping, the Minister pointed to the huge untapped capacity in aquaculture. With Nigeria’s annual fish need standing at 3.6 million metric tonnes, Oyetola kept in mind that domesticating this supply chain through clinical fish farming could substantially improve employment and decrease the national import expense.
The inauguration of the IMS building comes as the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy accelerates its “Deep Blue” task and port concession reforms.
As stakeholders from the scholastic and maritime neighborhoods collected to witness the unveiling, the agreement remained clear: the change of Nigeria’s maritime sector will be driven by the synergy in between specialised scholastic research and tactical federal government financial investment.