The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, is pushing forward a Nigeria–China Maritime Strategy designed to attract over $2 billion in shipping investments, boost indigenous vessel ownership, and establish Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in the region.
The initiative, formally presented to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, is the result of a strategic collaboration between the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) and the Global Investment Advisory Community (GIAC), through its Nigerian operator, Anabel Capital.
The strategy is designed to catalyse local participation in the maritime industry by capitalising Nigerian-owned shipping companies and linking them with Chinese shipyards, charter firms, and investment banks.
It also outlines substantial investment in vessel acquisition, maritime training institutions, and the procurement of modern training vessels.
According to the economic blueprint, the initiative will deliver $2 billion in vessel investments, $20 billion in freight contracts for Nigerian operators, $200 million for maritime training, and $50 million for training vessels.
The programme is expected to create over 2,000 new maritime jobs annually, train 25,000 globally certified Nigerian seafarers, and build a robust local shipping ecosystem.
Minister Oyetola, while speaking on the proposal, described the strategy as a “game changer” that aligns with the Ministry’s overarching priorities for sectoral reform and economic growth.
He stressed the need to rapidly build indigenous capacity, deepen public-private collaboration, and transition toward Nigerian ownership of commercial vessels.
Also present at the meeting were Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry; Mr. Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, Managing Director/CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA); Mr. Joseph Tegbe, Director-General of the NCSP; Dr. Nicholas Okoye, Managing Director of Anabel Capital; and Ms. Lela Omo-Ikirodah, Project Manager at NCSP.
