By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects, NIMENA, weekend, called for the urgent need for Nigeria to develop and deepen local content on marine engineering.

Speaking on the issue, the National Chairman, NIMENA, Engr Eferebo Sylvanus, FNSE, on Arise News TV, it is high time said Nigeria take it upon herself to  take ownership of her marine industry by deliberately building and boosting her marine engineering capacity to attain a technically sovereign maritime nation status driven by innovation and youth empowerment.

He maintained that the economic future of Nigeria is inseparable from the strength of its maritime ecosystem. He also pointed out that Nigeria is “a fundamentally maritime nation blessed with 853km of coastline, 10,000km of inland waterways, and one of the most active offshore oil and gas theatres in the world.” 

He further stated that  the Nigerian maritime sector has a proven potential to unlock a trillion-Naira blue economy if given adequate attention and support that could be strategically used to harness it.

According to him, Nigeria continued heavy dependence on foreign technical services — from classification and vessel inspection to offshore engineering and seafarer certification — leading to billions of naira lost annually, therefore, makes the sector stunted in growth and development.

He said: “Local content is not just a policy. It is a strategic national imperative.

“Technical sovereignty is the new currency of power, and Nigeria must deliberately build the institutions and engineering capacity to stand on its feet.”

Meanwhile NIMENA boss assured the commit of his organization towards promoting indigenous efforts to change the narrative in the areas of shipbuilding, expanding dry-docking capacity, enhancing offshore vessel support systems, and advocating for the creation of an indigenous classification body that will place Nigerian engineers at the center of vessel design, safety assurance, and standards compliance.

However, he said young people are Nigeria’s priceless maritime asset while lamenting skill gaps and manpower shortages in the sector, but he acknowledged that Nigerian youths possess immense potential, creativity, and resilience to galvanize the sector.

“Our young marine engineers are Nigeria’s priceless assets. They are not the weak link — they are the engine of Nigeria’s future.

“What they need is exposure, structured training pathways, and modern R&D infrastructure to translate their creativity into commercially viable solutions.”

Meanwhile, on capacity building, he disclosed that NIMENA is having serious partnerships with universities, maritime academies, shipyards, and private-sector innovators to expand simulation-based training, digital engineering competencies, computer-aided ship design, and hands-on industrial experience.

He also strongly emphasized on the area of greater synergy among strategic agencies in the maritime sector including NIMASA, NIWA, NPA, NCDMB, COREN, and the Standards Organization of Nigeria while he frowned at the fragmented regulatory frameworks that had limited growth and development of the sector.

He added that it is imperative to have a modern and a well coordinated regulatory maritime ecosystem position Nigeria has a globally competitive maritime hub.

He said, “Strong maritime nations are built on strong institutions. NIMENA is deeply committed to harmonizing standards, promoting compliance, and ensuring that the sector speaks with one unified technical voice.”

He (Sylvanus) pointed out how research remains a cardinal part of the sector’s innovation, and commercialization platforms for engineering solutions, saying the ongoing PPP-driven initiatives such as the Marine & Offshore Technology Development Centre in Rivers State, expanded R&D programmes, and collaborations that support the development of smart marine solutions, AI-enabled systems, digital twins, and automated vessel technologies.

“Nigeria cannot continue to import solutions for problems Nigerian engineers can solve.

“We must invest in research, innovation, and marine technology startups that will define the future of our blue economy”, he said.

The Chairman further stated that Nigerians should be rest assured that NIMENA will continue to champion reforms, capacity development, and technical excellence across the maritime value chain.

“If we strengthen our institutions, empower our youth, harmonise regulations, and invest in innovation, Nigeria will not just participate in the maritime economy — we will lead it,” he said.