Nigeria’s quest to unlock the full potential of its blue economy has received a major boost, as the Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA) called for the establishment of an indigenous vessel classification system and locally developed marine standards to strengthen the country’s technical and economic independence.
Speaking at the Plug and Play x NIMENA Innovation Night held during the Singapore Maritime Week, Eferebo Sylvanus, National Chairman of NIMENA, urged Nigeria to shift from being a passive participant in the global maritime industry to a competitive force anchored on local innovation.
Addressing an audience of international maritime stakeholders, policymakers and investors, Sylvanus stressed that Nigeria’s long-term economic stability is closely tied to its ability to build and control its technical capabilities.
He argued that reliance on foreign expertise in critical sectors undermines sustainable growth, noting that true economic sovereignty can only be achieved when countries develop and own their technological frameworks.
Central to his proposal is the creation of an indigenous classification society, an institution responsible for setting and enforcing standards for the design, construction and maintenance of ships.
According to him, developing local marine standards would not only enhance regulatory control but also position Nigeria as a serious player in global maritime operations.
Sylvanus further advocated the adoption of the “Triple Helix” model, which promotes collaboration among government, industry and academia as a pathway to building a resilient innovation ecosystem.
He said such synergy is essential for fostering research, developing local talent and translating ideas into commercially viable solutions.
Boma Goodhead, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to policies that prioritise local capacity development.
“Legislative backing would be strengthened to ensure the use of indigenous expertise and resources across the maritime sector, describing such measures as critical to positioning the industry as a pillar of Nigeria’s economy”, Goodhead said.
Drawing comparisons with Singapore’s rise as a maritime powerhouse, Sylvanus noted that the Asian nation’s success was driven by consistent policy implementation and the integration of academic research into industrial growth.
This perspective was reinforced by John Ang, session moderator, emphasised that innovation thrives in environments where collaboration is institutionalised rather than optional.
Similarly, Hemant Naik , global maritime expert highlighted the importance of partnerships and clear regulatory frameworks in advancing emerging sectors such as energy shipping.
He noted that countries that effectively manage innovation risks would dominate future maritime markets.
Participants also explored practical steps toward bridging Nigeria’s technical gaps, including the establishment of maritime technology innovation hubs and joint research initiatives between Nigeria and Singapore.
Reinforcing the need for homegrown solutions, Augustine Elakpa stressed that investment in applied research is critical for solving real industry challenges, adding that innovation must be scalable and tailored to local realities.
In his closing remarks, Sylvanus maintained that while Nigeria’s maritime sector holds vast untapped opportunities, particularly in logistics and offshore energy, the country must transition from potential to deliberate execution.
He emphasised that aligning policy direction with skilled manpower and strategic international partnerships would be key to transforming the sector into a major driver of economic growth and long-term national stability.
