By Vera Osokpo
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has launched the NIMASA Blue Economy Accelerator Programme and National Innovation Hackathon to attract young innovators, promote entrepreneurship and increase private-sector investment in Nigeria’s maritime industry.
The initiative is designed to help young Nigerians and innovative businesses develop solutions to challenges across the country’s maritime and blue economy value chain.
It will provide participants with a structured platform to develop ideas, test new technologies and build commercially viable ventures in areas connected to maritime services, marine resources and the wider blue economy.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, described the programme as an important national development initiative capable of helping Nigeria derive greater economic value from its maritime resources.
He said the maritime economy offered significant opportunities for economic diversification, job creation, innovation and increased participation by Nigerians.
“Nigeria’s maritime economy is a multi-billion naira frontier we have left largely untapped. We capture less than three percent of the value moving through our own waters. NIMASA-BEAP exists to correct that historic imbalance,” Mobereola said.
He urged young innovators and entrepreneurs to take the lead in developing solutions for the sector rather than waiting for opportunities to emerge.
Mobereola encouraged participants to view the maritime industry not only as a traditional sector but also as a platform for innovation, investment and national economic transformation.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, commended NIMASA for introducing what he described as a bold and forward-looking initiative.
Oyetola said the programme represented a shift from NIMASA’s traditional role as a regulator towards a broader role as a catalyst for innovation and economic development.
“This is not a routine government initiative. This is a paradigm shift, from NIMASA as a regulator, to NIMASA as a catalyst,” he said.
Represented by the Director of Marine Conservation and Innovation, Shettima Hussein Shehu, the minister urged commercial banks, development-finance institutions and maritime stakeholders to support the programme through funding, mentorship and strategic partnerships.
Representatives of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, First Bank, Zenith Bank, Fidelity Bank, Wema Bank, the Shipowners Association of Nigeria, Tamrose Limited, Petromarine Limited and Starzs Investment Limited expressed interest in partnering with NIMASA to deliver the programme.
The agency said the initiative includes defined timelines, responsibilities and accountability mechanisms to support effective implementation.
The application portal for young innovators between the ages of 18 and 28 will open on 5 October 2026. Applications will close on 13 November 2026, while independent evaluation and due diligence will be conducted from 16 November to 2 December.
The National Innovation Hackathon will take place from 8 to 10 December 2026.
Successful participants will then proceed to a 12-week accelerator programme scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. The programme will end with a National Demo Day in the second quarter of 2027.
At the Demo Day, participating ventures will present their solutions and business models to investors, maritime-sector organisations, industry stakeholders and other potential partners.