The Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) will on September 4, 2026, bring together key players in Nigeria’s maritime industry for a major summit focused on innovation, skills development and the future of the country’s blue economy.
According to a statement signed by the Association’s President, Vera Osokpo, the one-day 2026 Maritime Training Summit will hold at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, from 10:00 a.m., with the theme: “The Power of Innovation in a Future-Ready Maritime Training Agenda.”
The summit is expected to attract policymakers, regulators, government agencies, maritime operators, academics, training institutions, technology experts, development partners and other stakeholders interested in the growth of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
AMJON said the summit was designed to draw attention to the critical role of human capital in unlocking the enormous economic opportunities within Nigeria’s blue economy.
The Association noted that although Nigeria is strategically positioned along major international maritime trade routes and possesses vast marine resources, the country would require a skilled and technologically competent workforce to fully transform these advantages into sustainable economic benefits.
According to AMJON, sectors including shipping, ports, logistics, fisheries, offshore energy, shipbuilding and repairs, as well as emerging maritime businesses, have significant potential to contribute to national development if supported by the right skills and knowledge.
The Association therefore stressed the need for sustained investment in maritime education, training, retraining and professional development to prepare Nigerian workers for the rapidly changing demands of the global maritime industry.
One of the major attractions of the summit will be a presentation by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Adeniyi has been invited to speak on “An Overview of Customs Journey for National Economic Security Using Cutting-Edge Innovations.”
AMJON explained that the invitation was informed by the increasing role of technology and innovation in customs administration, maritime trade, border management, revenue collection and national economic security.
The Association highlighted recent reforms and innovations within the Nigeria Customs Service, including the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), popularly known as B’Odogwu, its integration with the National Single Window initiative and other digital solutions designed to improve trade facilitation and revenue collection.
Other initiatives expected to attract attention include the Time Release Study, which seeks to identify and address delays in cargo clearance; the One Stop Shop initiative aimed at improving operational coordination; and the deployment of drones for geospatial border surveillance.
AMJON said these developments demonstrate the growing influence of technology in transforming conventional approaches to customs and maritime administration.
Beyond Customs innovation, the summit will provide stakeholders with a platform to examine the skills challenges confronting Nigeria’s maritime industry and develop practical approaches to building a workforce capable of responding to technological advancements and changing global trade patterns.
Issues expected to feature prominently include artificial intelligence and automation in maritime operations, digitalisation of ports and customs processes, maritime safety and security, reskilling and upskilling, indigenous manpower development, innovation in maritime education and stronger public-private partnerships.
Participants will also discuss how maritime training institutions can modernise their curricula to meet the evolving requirements of shipping, port operations, logistics, customs administration, offshore activities and other areas of the emerging blue economy.
AMJON President, Vera Osokpo, said the summit was conceived as part of the Association’s contribution to the national conversation on developing the human capital required to drive Nigeria’s maritime economy.
She noted that technological advancement was rapidly transforming the maritime industry and that Nigeria must ensure its workforce was adequately prepared to remain relevant and competitive.
According to her, a future-ready maritime workforce must possess contemporary knowledge, technical expertise and the ability to adapt to continuous technological and operational changes.
The summit will also reinforce AMJON’s commitment to using maritime journalism to promote informed debate, policy engagement and accountability within the industry.
The Association called on government institutions, private-sector operators, financial organisations, development partners and other stakeholders to support the initiative and contribute to efforts aimed at strengthening maritime human capital development.
AMJON expressed optimism that the summit would generate practical recommendations capable of improving maritime training, strengthening Nigeria’s workforce and accelerating the country’s efforts to derive greater economic value from its blue economy.
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