The Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects has renewed calls for Nigeria to establish its own classification body and develop homegrown marine standards as part of a broader push for technical independence in the maritime sector.
Speaking at the Plug and Play x NIMENA Innovation Night during Singapore Maritime Week, the group’s National Chairman, Eferebo I. Sylvanus, urged Nigeria to move beyond a passive role in global shipping and position itself as a competitive force.
Addressing industry leaders, policymakers, and investors, Sylvanus stressed that unlocking the country’s blue economy depends on building internal capacity and reducing reliance on foreign expertise. He stated, “Technical sovereignty is the foundation of economic sovereignty. We cannot continue to build critical sectors on imported expertise alone.”
He went further to highlight the need for local control in maritime regulation and vessel certification, saying, “Technical sovereignty through an indigenous classification society is a very critical aspect that needs to be echoed. We must prioritize creating marine standards and ensuring indigenous local vessel classifications and standards are developed locally.”
To drive this vision, he proposed adopting the Triple Helix model, which promotes collaboration between government, industry, and academia to strengthen innovation.
Also speaking at the event, Boma Goodhead, who chairs the House Committee on Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring, reaffirmed legislative backing for local capacity development. She said, “Our focus remains on creating a legislative environment that mandates and supports the utilization of local talent and resources. It is through such deliberate policy frameworks that we can ensure the maritime sector becomes a true cornerstone of our national economy.”
Speakers at the session drew comparisons between Nigeria’s ambitions and Singapore’s success, pointing to consistent policies and strong ties between research and industry as key drivers of growth.
Moderator John Ang emphasized the importance of collaboration, noting, “The most successful innovation ecosystems are those where collaboration is not optional—it is embedded into how institutions, startups, and governments operate daily.”
On the global stage, Hemant Naik highlighted the role of partnerships in scaling innovation, stating, “As we scale new energy shipping solutions globally, the countries that will lead are those that can de-risk innovation through strong partnerships and clear regulatory frameworks.”
The event also drew key diplomatic and engineering figures, including Francisca K. Omayuli and Seng-Chuan Tan, who witnessed the presentation of a roadmap aimed at building a technologically independent maritime sector in Nigeria.
Beyond policy discussions, attention was given to practical steps such as setting up maritime tech hubs and fostering joint research initiatives between Nigeria and Singapore.
Reinforcing this direction, Augustine Ada Elakpa said, “For Nigeria to truly compete, we must invest in applied research that directly solves industry problems. Innovation must be practical, scalable, and locally relevant.”
The event also showcased emerging talent, with startup founders presenting maritime solutions to an international pool of investors, underlining Nigeria’s growing innovation potential.
In his closing remarks, Sylvanus stressed the urgency of moving from ideas to action: “Nigeria does not lack potential; what is required now is structured execution. With the right alignment of policy, people, and partnerships, we can transform our maritime sector into a major driver of national economic growth.”
NIMENA maintains that with the right mix of policy direction, skilled talent, and global collaboration, Nigeria’s maritime industry can evolve into a key pillar of sustainable economic growth.
