The Network of Nigeria Maritime Journalists (NNMJ) has secured the participation of several prominent personalities in Nigeria’s maritime industry and political landscape at its forthcoming Unity Conference, including former Minister of Interior, Hon. Emmanuel Ihenacho; Senator Wasiu Eshilokun; former President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Eugene Nweke; and Dr. Kayode Farinto.
The conference, scheduled for Friday, November 13, 2026, at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, is expected to bring together key policymakers, heads of maritime agencies, industry leaders, legal practitioners, freight forwarders and other critical stakeholders to deliberate on issues shaping the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Barrister Temisan Omatseye, will chair the conference, while the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, will attend as Special Guest of Honour.
A renowned maritime lawyer, Barrister Emeka Akabogu, SAN, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address with the theme, “Seaport Modernisation, Trade Facilitation and Revenue,” the conference will provide a platform for an in-depth assessment of the performance, policy direction and operational efficiency of Nigeria’s maritime sector under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Discussions will particularly focus on ongoing reforms, infrastructure development and strategic interventions required to strengthen the maritime industry’s contribution to national economic growth.
Scheduled to commence at 11:00 a.m., the conference will provide an avenue for constructive engagement among government representatives, maritime professionals and private-sector operators on practical measures to reposition Nigeria’s maritime industry for improved efficiency, productivity and global competitiveness.
Key areas of discussion will include seaport modernisation, rehabilitation and renewal of critical port infrastructure, trade facilitation, ease of doing business, revenue optimisation and strategies for identifying and eliminating financial leakages across the maritime value chain.
Participants will also examine opportunities for expanding Nigeria’s marine and blue economy, generating employment, strengthening maritime safety and security, and enhancing the competitiveness of the nation’s seaports.
The conference is expected to attract heads of government agencies, managing directors of shipping companies, terminal operators, freight forwarders, licensed customs agents and other influential stakeholders across the maritime industry.
In a joint statement, NNMJ Chairman, Elder Dele Aderibigbe, and the organisation’s Public Relations Officer, Jerry Aguigbo, said the Unity Conference was conceived to promote informed dialogue, deepen stakeholder collaboration and generate practical recommendations for addressing the challenges confronting the maritime industry.
They explained that the event would also offer stakeholders an opportunity to evaluate existing government policies and reforms, identify implementation gaps and recommend sustainable solutions to improve port operations, facilitate legitimate trade, increase government revenue and unlock the vast economic potential of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The statement further underscored the strategic importance of maritime journalism in promoting transparency and accountability, providing credible industry analysis and sustaining informed public discourse on government policies, regulatory interventions and reforms affecting the marine and blue economy.
The NNMJ leadership expressed confidence that the conference would strengthen relationships among industry stakeholders, encourage meaningful policy engagement and reinforce collective efforts towards building a more efficient, transparent and globally competitive maritime industry.
