The Nigerian Navy on Wednesday signalled renewed commitment to the country’s blue economy drive as the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) unveiled the maiden edition of its newsletter at Apapa, Lagos.
Representing the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Doctrine Command, Rear Admiral Bob-Manuel Effiong, declared the event open, describing the moment as both symbolic and strategic for Nigeria’s maritime future.
Effiong said the unveiling of the IMION Newsletter marked a significant milestone in the institute’s institutional growth, noting that the publication would serve as a vital platform for communication, intellectual engagement and documentation of progress within the maritime sector.
He observed that the initiative reflects a deliberate effort by IMION to deepen stakeholder engagement, strengthen its identity and promote transparency across the maritime ecosystem.
According to him, beyond information sharing, the newsletter would inspire innovation, foster collaboration and reinforce excellence among maritime professionals and institutions.
The naval chief’s representative commended the Director General of IMION, Rear Admiral Thaddeus Udofia (rtd), and the editorial team for what he described as foresight and dedication in delivering a publication of enduring relevance.
He expressed optimism that the newsletter would evolve into a credible reference point for policy discourse and sectoral development, urging stakeholders to actively contribute to its growth.
In his opening remarks, Udofia described the gathering as timely, stressing that Nigeria stands at a critical juncture in harnessing its vast marine and coastal resources.
He noted that with over 420 nautical miles of coastline and a strategic location in the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria possesses immense potential in maritime trade, fisheries, offshore energy, tourism and marine biotechnology.
Udofia, however, warned that unlocking these opportunities requires strong governance, policy coordination and sustained collaboration among government agencies, security institutions, academia and private sector players.
He explained that the executive programme was designed to serve as a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange and strategic alignment, with a focus on translating policy into measurable outcomes.
Participants, he said, would explore key areas including policy frameworks, maritime security, environmental sustainability and investment opportunities within the blue economy.
He outlined core learning objectives of the programme to include understanding global blue economy frameworks, analysing Nigeria’s policy landscape, identifying key growth sectors and developing data driven strategies for sustainable implementation.
Udofia further disclosed plans by the institute to roll out specialised executive courses later in the year, targeting areas such as logistics, climate resilience, governance, maritime security and sustainable development.
He expressed appreciation to the Chief of the Naval Staff, the institute’s governing bodies, partners and stakeholders for their continued support, before formally declaring the programme open.
In a vote of thanks, the Executive Director, Administration, Commodore Isa Ahmed, described the event as a milestone achievement, applauding the leadership of IMION and the editorial team for bringing the maiden publication to fruition.
Ahmed also commended the Special Guest of Honour, distinguished guests and participants for their contributions, expressing confidence that the initiative would strengthen collaboration and drive future successes in Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The event attracted a wide array of stakeholders, including senior military officers, paramilitary agencies, maritime journalists and industry players, among them the Chief Staff Officer, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Nnamdi Christian Ekwom.