The Admiral Superintendent of the Naval Dockyard Limited, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shehu, declared open the 2025 edition of the Maritime Writes Project Creative Writing Bootcamp, urging participants to become powerful voices in shaping Nigeria’s maritime narrative and projecting the country’s blue economy potential to the world.
Speaking at the Dockyard’s premises in Lagos on Wednesday, Rear Admiral Shehu described the naval dockyard as not just a hub for vessel maintenance and construction but a strategic centre where engineering precision, skilled craftsmanship, and strategic vision combine to serve the country’s military and merchant marine needs.
According to him, the maritime industry remains a vital pillar of the Nigerian economy, with strong links to security, shipping, fisheries, oceanography, trade, tourism, oil and gas, renewable energy, port operations, and logistics.
“When creative writing reflects these economic sectors, it does more than inspire, it educates, attracts investment, promotes trade, and strengthens our standing among the global community of maritime nations,” he said.
Rear Admiral Shehu also stressed that well-crafted narratives can influence policy, drive innovation, and highlight opportunities in the blue economy.
“You are not here just to write; you are here to shape perspectives, to ignite curiosity, and to present the maritime domain as a driver of national growth,” he told participants.
The bootcamp, which features hands-on workshops, will also offer participants direct engagement with captains of industry, policymakers, and innovators in the maritime space.
“Your exposure here actualised your understanding that creativity is involved in commerce, innovation, and leadership,” he added.
Reeling out the expectations at the 2025 bootcamp, the head of Faculty, Maritime Writes Project, Dr. Taiwo Nolas-Alausa, encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity to learn new things about the marine and blue economy, even as he assured that by the end of the bootcamp, they will also be better writers.
During the workshop, Dr. Nolas-Alausa, the Director General of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria, also introduced the participants to the various stages of writing, including pre-writing, drafting, writing, editing, and publishing.
Also speaking, the director of the Internal Ocean Institute (IOI) Nigeria, Dr. Akanbi Williams, stressed the significance of literature in endearing Nigerians to the vast opportunities in the marine and blue economy.
Noting that IOI Nigeria has partnered with the Maritime Writes Project Creative Writing Bootcamp for 4 years, Williams described the initiative as laudable. He added that storytelling is a vital tool for ocean literacy.
Meanwhile, the executive director of the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Prof. Abiodun Sule, represented by Dr. Ayaobu Cookey, described the blue economy as a national asset that must be adequately explored.
The president of the African Women’s Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFISHNET), Funmi Shelika, equally admonished the participants to amplify the voices of the often unheard, particularly women in small-scale fishing, through stories and artistic expressions.
Her words: “Through your stories, we can inspire the next generation, influence decision makers and strengthen our collective commitment to protect our waters and the livelihoods of riverine communities.”
In his remarks, the acting rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron, Dr. Kevin Okonna, who was represented by the Head of Library, Musa Muhammad Auwal, said the theme of this year’s edition “Blue Odyssey: Securing Nigeria’s EEZ, Ports and Blue Economy – Stories of Sea Guardians, Trade Routes and Coastal Adventures” resonates with the commitment of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, towards ensuring Nigeria becomes Africa’s leading maritime hub.
