FG Eyes 50,000 Jobs As Maritime Investments Gain Momentum

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’s maritime sector, with projections that ongoing investments could generate up to 50,000 jobs across the value chain.

Speaking on Thursday at the commissioning of the Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS) Multipurpose Building at the University of Lagos, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, said the initiative reflects a broader strategy to position the blue economy as a key driver of national growth, employment, and economic diversification.

The facility, donated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, is equipped with modern lecture rooms, laboratories, and specialised training infrastructure designed to strengthen teaching, research, and innovation in maritime studies.

Oyetola described the project as a milestone in the Federal Government’s commitment to human capital development, noting that the future of the maritime industry would depend largely on the quality of skilled professionals produced by institutions like UNILAG.
He stressed that with over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s trade conducted via maritime channels, the sector remains critical to unlocking economic opportunities, enhancing trade efficiency, and creating sustainable jobs.
According to the Minister, key initiatives such as the planned disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) are expected to significantly boost indigenous shipping capacity and create about 30,000 jobs. He added that ongoing port modernisation projects could generate an additional 20,000 jobs, while improving operational efficiency and strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness as a regional maritime hub.
Oyetola also highlighted efforts to build a skilled workforce through the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), under which 2,459 Nigerians have been trained in maritime institutions across countries including the United Kingdom, Egypt, the Philippines, India, and Romania. Of this number, 1,088 have obtained their Certificates of Competency.
Beyond shipping, the Minister pointed to vast opportunities in fisheries and aquaculture, noting that Nigeria’s annual fish demand of 3.6 million metric tonnes presents significant prospects for food security, wealth creation, and employment.
In his remarks, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, said the agency is collaborating with eight Nigerian universities and international partners, including the World Maritime University, to deepen maritime manpower development.
He noted that the partnership with UNILAG would enhance research capacity, support data-driven policymaking, and produce industry-ready graduates capable of meeting the evolving demands of the global maritime sector.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Folasade Ogunsola, said the new facility would significantly boost academic and professional training in areas such as maritime law, shipping management, port operations, logistics, and marine environmental studies.
She added that the Institute is strategically positioned to serve as a hub for innovation and interdisciplinary research that will contribute to national development.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Wole Olanipekun, commended the Federal Government for its sustained support and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to advancing maritime education and capacity building.
Established in 2013, the Institute of Maritime Studies at UNILAG has continued to grow as a strategic centre for maritime training and research in Nigeria and across Africa. The commissioning ceremony drew key stakeholders from the maritime industry and academia, underscoring growing confidence in the sector’s potential to drive jobs and economic transformation.