The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, is advancing a landmark Nigeria–China Maritime Strategy aimed at unlocking over $2 billion in shipping investments. The initiative seeks to accelerate indigenous vessel ownership and position Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in West Africa.
The strategy, formally presented to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, is a result of a strategic collaboration between the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) and the Global Investment Advisory Community (GIAc), through its Nigerian affiliate, Anabel Capital.
At its core, the initiative aims to stimulate Nigerian participation in the maritime industry by capitalizing Nigerian-owned shipping companies and linking them with Chinese shipyards, charter firms, and investment banks. The comprehensive plan includes investments in vessel acquisition, maritime training institutions, and modern training vessels, all critical to strengthening Nigeria’s shipping capacity.
According to the economic blueprint, the strategy is expected to deliver: $2 billion in vessel investments, $20 billion in freight contracts for Nigerian shipping operators, $200 million in maritime training funding and $50 million for the procurement of training vessels.
Additionally, the programme is projected to: Create over 2,000 new maritime jobs annually, Train 25,000 globally certified Nigerian seafarers and Foster a resilient, locally anchored shipping ecosystem.
Describing the proposal as a “game changer,” Minister Oyetola praised the initiative for aligning with the Ministry’s priorities on sectoral reform and economic diversification.
“This strategy supports our mission to build indigenous capacity, stimulate public-private partnerships, and secure Nigerian ownership of commercial vessels. It marks a new chapter in translating policy into meaningful, private-sector-driven outcomes,” the Minister stated.
He emphasized the need for urgency in building a robust local maritime workforce, leveraging international partnerships, and ensuring long-term sustainability in Nigeria’s marine economy.
The proposal presentation was witnessed by high-level stakeholders, including: Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, MD/CEO, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Joseph Tegbe, Director-General, Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Dr. Nicholas Okoye, MD, Anabel Capital, and Ms. Lela Omo-Ikirodah, Project Manager, NCSP.
The Nigeria–China Maritime Strategy forms part of broader efforts to convert international diplomacy into high-impact economic outcomes, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. By leveraging Chinese technical expertise and investment capacity, Nigeria is taking concrete steps to build a globally competitive blue economy that creates jobs, boosts exports, and strengthens maritime infrastructure.