Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has approved the appointment of Dr Bolaji Akinola as his adviser on media and communications.Dr Akinola, a maritime and corporate communications expert, brings over 25 years of extensive experience and deep industry knowledge to his new role.
He has built a strong reputation for his insightful analysis of the maritime sector and has expertise in strategic communications.
Before his appointment, he was the CEO of the leading maritime media and public relations organisation, Ships & Ports Communication Company. He is widely recognised for his contributions to the discourse on port reforms, maritime security, shipping development, and the broader Blue Economy in Nigeria.
Akinola holds a Doctorate degree in Media and Communications from the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos. He also holds two Master’s degrees—an MBA (Lagos Business School) and a Master of Transport Management (Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho). He is a member of many professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the Chartered Institute of Arbitration, UK, and the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN).
He served as the executive secretary of the Nigeria Maritime Conference and Exhibition (NIMAREX) from 2011 to 2014 and is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Shipping (FNIS) and the Chartered Institute of Shipping of Nigeria (FCISN), among others.
As media and communications adviser, Dr Akinola will be responsible for shaping and managing media relations, guiding communication strategies, and ensuring effective dissemination of information regarding the ministry’s policies, programmes, and initiatives aimed at harnessing the potential of Nigeria’s vast marine resources.
