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Nigeria is betting on the ingenuity of its young innovators to unlock new opportunities in the maritime sector as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has launched the Blue Economy Accelerator Programme to support startups developing solutions capable of transforming the country’s marine economy.
The initiative is expected to nurture a new generation of technology-driven enterprises, attract investment into the maritime sector and accelerate the commercialisation of innovative ideas aligned with Nigeria’s blue economy agenda.
Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said the programme demonstrates the Agency’s commitment to driving the implementation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s vision by empowering young entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses that address critical industry challenges.
According to him, participants will receive structured business development support, technical mentorship and industry guidance to transform promising concepts into viable ventures while providing a platform for investors to identify and fund emerging talents.
“We want to provide a platform for investors to identify young talents and invest in them,” Mobereola said.
He described the initiative as a strategic intervention that would help convert innovative ideas into scalable businesses capable of creating jobs, improving efficiency and strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness within the global blue economy.
Mobereola also commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, for providing a clear development roadmap through the codification of the Marine and Blue Economy Policy, noting that the policy has created a strong foundation for innovation and private sector participation.
He urged young Nigerians with innovative solutions to seize the opportunity offered by the programme, stressing that the blue economy presents enormous prospects for wealth creation and sustainable national development.
Applications are open to startups and innovators developing solutions in marine waste management and the blue circular economy, aquaculture and sustainable fisheries, maritime technology and logistics, ocean renewable energy, marine tourism, marine biotechnology, ocean data and analytics, green shipping and vessel decarbonisation, smart port solutions, autonomous marine vehicles, biofouling prevention technologies, as well as nature-based coastal defence systems.
NIMASA expects the maiden edition of the Accelerator Programme to attract at least 150 high-quality applications from Nigerian innovators both at home and in the diaspora, as the Agency seeks to build a robust pipeline of innovation that will drive the long-term growth and competitiveness of the country’s marine and blue economy.
