The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Usman Bamanga Jada, will chair the 2026 Annual Conference of the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON), where industry leaders and policymakers will examine the role of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in advancing Nigeria’s blue economy.
Scheduled for Thursday, July 30, 2026, the conference will focus on the theme, “Special Economic Zones as Catalysts to Sustainable Blue Economy.”
The event aims to stimulate high-level discussions on how SEZs can accelerate industrialisation, attract investment, facilitate trade, generate employment, and unlock the vast economic opportunities within Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Jada’s selection as chairman reflects OGFZA’s growing influence in promoting investment, industrial development, and ease of doing business in Nigeria’s oil and gas free zones.
His participation is expected to provide valuable perspectives on the strategic importance of Special Economic Zones in driving economic diversification, boosting competitiveness, and fostering sustainable national development.
Under Jada’s leadership, OGFZA has continued to strengthen Nigeria’s investment climate through policy reforms, improved regulatory processes, and investor-friendly initiatives.
The Authority has attracted substantial investments into the nation’s oil and gas free zones, supporting local content development, export-oriented industrialisation, technology transfer, and job creation.
Chairman of the MARCON Conference Planning Committee, Paul Ogbuokiri, described OGFZA as one of Nigeria’s leading investment promotion agencies, noting that its achievements align closely with the conference’s central theme.
According to him, the Authority’s record in attracting investments demonstrates the transformative potential of Special Economic Zones as critical drivers of sustainable economic growth and blue economy development.
“We are honoured that the Managing Director of OGFZA has accepted to chair this year’s conference. His extensive experience in investment promotion and free zone administration will greatly enrich the discussions.
We are confident participants will benefit from his insights as stakeholders collectively explore practical strategies for leveraging Special Economic Zones to advance Nigeria’s blue economy aspirations,” Ogbuokiri stated.
The conference is expected to bring together senior government officials, regulators, port and maritime operators, investors, development partners, and industry experts to deliberate on policy reforms and practical strategies for maximising the benefits of Special Economic Zones.
Participants will also engage in discussions on investment promotion, trade facilitation, infrastructure development, innovation, and sustainable maritime growth, with the goal of positioning Nigeria’s blue economy as a major contributor to long-term national prosperity.
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