Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has unveiled the NIMASA Blue Economy Accelerator Programme, NIMASA-BEAP, and the National Innovation Hackathon, a strategic initiative designed to attract young innovators into Nigeria’s marine and blue economy, stimulate entrepreneurship and unlock private-sector investment.
The programme will provide a structured platform for young Nigerians and innovative enterprises to develop solutions to challenges and opportunities across the maritime and blue economy value chain.
Speaking at the unveiling, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, described the initiative as a national development imperative aimed at enabling Nigeria to derive greater economic value from its maritime resources.
“Nigeria’s maritime economy is a multimillion naira frontier we have left largely untapped. We capture less than three percent of the value moving through our own waters. NIMASA-BEAP exists to correct that historic imbalance.”
He challenged young innovators and entrepreneurs to “Lead this frontier. Do not follow it”, urging them to see the maritime sector as a frontier for innovation, investment and national economic transformation.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, commended NIMASA for the initiative, describing it as a paradigm shift from regulation alone to catalysing implementation of the blue economy.
The Minister also called on commercial banks, development finance institutions and maritime stakeholders to support the initiative through investment, mentorship and strategic partnerships.
The application portal for the NIMASA Blue Economy Accelerator Programme opens in October 5, 2026 and closes November 13, 2026.
The programme is open to young innovators aged 18–28.
The future of Nigeria’s blue economy will be built on ideas, innovation, enterprise and collaboration.
