From 2nd left: Director, Marine Environment Management, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Oma Offodile; Director, Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Gloria Anyasodo; Director, Shipping Development, NIMASA, Abdullahi Yelwa; Registrar of Ships, Iyelolu Adenike; CEO STARZS Marine and Engineering Ltd. Engr. Greg Ogbeifun and others during the stakeholders’ breakfast meeting organised by the NIMASA at the Nigerian Maritime Resource Development Centre in Kirikiri, Lagos.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has renewed its drive to strengthen shipyard development and local shipbuilding capacity as part of broader efforts to deepen Nigeria’s blue economy and reduce capital flight in the maritime sector.
The commitment was reaffirmed at a high level stakeholders’ breakfast meeting hosted by the Agency at the Nigerian Maritime Resource Development Centre (NMRDC) in Kirikiri, Lagos. The meeting, themed “Dissecting the Issues, Challenges, and Prospects in the Shipbuilding Segment – Discussing Funding Models, Incentives, and Policy Support for Shipyards Growth,” brought together industry operators, policymakers and maritime experts to chart a sustainable growth path for the sector.
This was disclosed in a press release issued on 11 February 2026 by the Agency’s Head of Public Relations, Deputy Director, Osagie Edward.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director, Operations, NIMASA, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, described shipbuilding as a capital intensive and technically demanding sector that requires deliberate policy direction and innovative financing models to thrive. Adeyemi, who was represented by the Director, Marine Environment Management, Dr. Oma Offodile, said the engagement was designed to assess structural challenges confronting the industry and develop pragmatic solutions.
He noted that NIMASA is working closely with industry stakeholders to address structural constraints, build local capacity and position Nigerian shipyards to compete effectively, while supporting decarbonisation efforts, job creation and Nigeria’s obligations at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
Adeyemi highlighted global shifts such as maritime decarbonisation, fuel transition, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions as factors reshaping the global shipbuilding landscape. According to him, these developments underscore the urgency for Nigeria to strengthen domestic shipbuilding capacity to support shipping, offshore energy, defence and other critical maritime assets.
He identified key challenges facing the sector to include limited access to long term capital, shortage of skilled manpower, underinvestment in automation and green technologies, inadequate scale to compete globally, as well as policy inconsistency and procurement uncertainty.
He stressed that shipyards play a pivotal role in building energy efficient vessels that comply with IMO standards, adding that sustaining Nigeria’s recent return to Category C of the IMO Council requires continuous investment in maritime capacity and infrastructure.
In his keynote address, the Managing Director of Starz Marine Limited, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, commended the Federal Government for establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, describing it as a strategic move to unlock the maritime sector’s full potential. He called for deliberate government support to enhance shipyard capacity, improve competitiveness and attract both local and foreign investment.
Shipyard operators, in their goodwill messages, pledged collaboration with NIMASA to curb capital flight and strengthen indigenous capacity. They emphasised the need for targeted financial support, skills development initiatives and stable policy frameworks to enable Nigerian shipyards compete effectively in regional and global markets.
Participants at the meeting agreed on the importance of coordinated funding mechanisms, incentives and policy consistency to address short, medium and long term challenges in the sector.
NIMASA’s renewed focus on shipyard development aligns with its statutory mandate under the NIMASA Act, 2007, to promote shipping development, maritime safety and capacity building. Industry observers say sustained implementation of the proposed reforms could significantly boost indigenous participation, create jobs and advance Nigeria’s blue economy objectives.
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