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Nigeria and other African maritime stakeholders are set to confront the widening gap between policy formulation and practical implementation as the Lagos International Maritime Week (LIMWEEK) 2026 opens in Lagos next week.
The 11th International Maritime Business-to-Business Conference and Exhibition, organised by Zoe Maritime Resources Limited, will hold from September 8 to 10 at Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, under the theme, “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.”
The organisers said the conference is designed to move maritime-sector conversations beyond policy pronouncements towards implementation, collaboration and measurable outcomes, at a time when artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are reshaping the global maritime industry.
Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore, Chairperson of Zoe Maritime Resources Limited and Conference Convener, said Africa’s maritime industry and blue economy must respond decisively to the rapid pace of technological innovation.
“With the proliferation of artificial intelligence and other innovation, the African maritime industry and blue economy must move to its next level,” she said.
The conference, which aligns with the International Maritime Organization’s World Maritime Day 2026 focus on Africa, is expected to attract government officials, regulators, maritime professionals, industry leaders, academics, investors and representatives of international maritime organisations.
Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address, while Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Commission Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), will deliver the public lecture.
Other speakers include; Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Umar Yusuf Girei, Acting Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA); Dr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA); Mr. Kingsley Igwe, Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN); and Iroghama Ogbeifun, Managing Director of Starz Investments Company Limited.
Key discussions will centre on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, port development and transportation, maritime law and arbitration, marine environmental issues, maritime training and education, and women’s participation in the industry.
Beyond policy discussions, LIMWEEK 2026 will provide business-to-business opportunities, an exhibition for companies to showcase products and technologies, networking sessions and mentoring opportunities for young maritime professionals.
A maritime excursion to NNS KADA is also scheduled for September 10 as part of efforts to provide participants with practical exposure to Nigeria’s maritime and naval environment.
According to the organisers, the event is intended to connect decision-makers, investors, businesses and professionals while developing practical approaches to strengthening maritime governance, trade, investment, security and human-capital development across Nigeria and Africa.
