NIMENA Opens Up Asia-Pacific Market For Nigerian Startups

The need to strengthen Nigeria’s blue economy through innovation, strategic partnerships and collaboration among industry players took centre stage at the 2026 Asia-Pacific Summit in Singapore, where Nigerian maritime professionals joined global stakeholders to explore emerging opportunities in technology, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.

The summit, organised by Plug and Play in partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA), brought together startups, investors, industry experts and other key stakeholders to explore solutions to real-world challenges and identify opportunities for growth across Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.

Speaking during an interview session, the National Chairman of NIMENA, Dr Sylvanus Eferebo, described the summit as an important platform for connecting industry players, venture capitalists, startups and other stakeholders whose contributions are critical to the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Eferebo noted that NIMENA, as an offshoot of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, was committed to bridging the gap between government, academia and industry players to establish a common development agenda capable of driving growth and advancement in the blue economy.

He stressed that collaboration among these sectors remained essential to translating innovative ideas and technical expertise into practical solutions that would strengthen Nigeria’s maritime and wider energy industries.

The summit featured the 2026 cohort of startups developing innovative solutions across critical sectors, including healthcare, identity management, logistics, agriculture and technology. Their participation provided an opportunity for industry stakeholders to examine emerging technologies, explore partnerships and connect innovative businesses with potential investors.

The Nigerian Ambassador to Singapore, who also graced the occasion, commended NIMENA for its efforts in projecting Nigeria positively on the international stage, describing the institution’s engagement as an important contribution to strengthening the country’s global presence.

The summit underscored the growing importance of international partnerships, innovation and professional collaboration in unlocking opportunities within Nigeria’s blue economy, while providing a platform for Nigerian stakeholders to connect with global expertise and explore practical pathways for national development.