Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s shipbuilding and shipyard capacity as part of ongoing efforts to deepen the nation’s blue economy and reduce capital flight.
This renewed drive was highlighted at a stakeholders’ breakfast meeting hosted by the Agency with the theme “Dissecting the Issues, Challenges, and Prospects in the Shipbuilding Segment – Discussing Funding Models, Incentives, and Policy Support for Shipyards Growth.”The event held at the Nigerian Maritime Resource Development Centre (NMRDC).
Speaking as Chairman of the session, NIMASA’s Executive Director, Operations, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, noted that shipbuilding remains a highly capital-intensive and technically demanding sector that requires deliberate policy action and sustained financial intervention. He was represented by the Agency’s Director of Marine Environment Management, Dr. Oma Offodile.
Adeyemi said the meeting was convened to provide a clear assessment of the structural challenges in the sector and to chart practical solutions capable of driving competitive shipyard growth in the country.
“Shipbuilding is a strategic pillar of Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy aspirations. It is capital-intensive, technically demanding and highly competitive, which is why deliberate funding models, targeted incentives and consistent policies are critical,” he said.
“Through engagements like these, NIMASA is working with industry stakeholders to address structural constraints, build local capacity, curb capital flight and position Nigerian shipyards to compete sustainably, while supporting decarbonisation, job creation and our obligations at the International Maritime Organisation.”
Adeyemi also highlighted shifts in the global maritime landscape, including decarbonisation pressures, supply chain fragility and geopolitical concerns, which have increased the need for strong domestic shipyard capacity to support shipping, offshore energy, defence and other critical maritime assets.
He identified key challenges affecting the sector, including limited access to capital, shortages of skilled manpower, underinvestment in automation and green technologies, insufficient scale for global competition, and policy inconsistency.
According to him, shipyards are central to global decarbonisation efforts due to their role in building energy-efficient vessels that comply with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards. He added that sustaining Nigeria’s recent re-election into Category C of the IMO Council requires a vibrant domestic shipbuilding industry.
Delivering the 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 toward unlocking maritime potential. He urged deliberate government support to boost shipyard capacity, competitiveness and investment inflow.
Shipyard owners in their goodwill messages pledged to work closely with NIMASA to curb capital flight and strengthen indigenous capacity. They emphasized the need for targeted incentives, skills development and stable policies to enhance competitiveness.
Stakeholders unanimously backed NIMASA’s renewed push to accelerate shipyard development, calling for coordinated funding mechanisms and execution-focused policy frameworks to address short-, medium- and long-term sector challenges.
The Agency noted that its emphasis on shipyard development aligns with the NIMASA Act, 2007, which mandates it to promote maritime safety, shipping development and capacity building. Supporting shipyard operations and indigenous shipbuilding, it added, remains central to advancing Nigeria’s blue economy ambitions.