New Experience Newspaper Seeks Action on Nigeria’s Blue Economy at 9th Anniversary Lecture
The New Experience Newspaper has called for urgent, coordinated and practical action to unlock Nigeria’s blue economy as a pathway to a $1 trillion economy, job creation and food security.
The call came at its 5th Annual Lecture and Awards Ceremony held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, marking its 9th anniversary. The theme was “Blue Economy in Action: Financing, Innovation and Policy for Nigeria’s Maritime Future.” Regulators, operators, financiers, security agencies, media leaders and royal fathers attended, including officials of NIMASA, NPA, SIFAX Group, NPERA, Nigeria Customs Service and Maritime Police Command.
Declaring the event open, Chief Ibitrokoemi Seddon, representing Chairman Chief Chamberlain Oyibo, former Group Managing Director of NNPC, recalled the newspaper’s humble beginnings and praised Publisher Prince Benson Davies for resilience. He said Nigeria’s 853-kilometre coastline would remain mere potential without action, and listed three pillars: deliberate maritime financing including a Blue Economy Development Fund; innovation through smart ports and a single window; and consistent, investor-friendly policy.
In his welcome address, Prince Benson Davies described September 24, 2026, as historic, marking nine years since the newspaper began on May 17, 2017. He said it had been nine years of resilience, truth-telling, consistency and service to the maritime industry and Nigeria. He thanked lead partners NPA, NIMASA, SIFAX Group and Widescope International Logistics Limited, recalling that early lectures held at Presken Hotels, Ikeja, and that at the height of COVID-19 in 2020 the newspaper hosted over 800 guests.
Keynote Speaker Amb. Dr. Dorcas Masu Daniel Bature, Chairperson of the Anniversary Committee and Chairperson of CILT Lagos Chapter, said Nigeria had failed to turn its coastline, Gulf of Guinea location and youth population into prosperity. She decried billions spent importing fish despite vast aquatic resources and declared that “the blue economy is Nigeria’s frontier now, not tomorrow.” She called for policy, funding and innovation to work together, transparent merit-based finance, support for youths aged 18–28, delivery of the proposed $1 billion innovation fund, a sovereign blue bond, a coordinated regulatory framework for NIMASA, NPA and NIWA, port digitisation, maritime security and environmental protection.
A panel discussion moderated by Prince Benson Davies asked why Nigeria’s blue economy contributes less than 5% to GDP despite 853km of coastline. It commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under Adegboyega Oyetola but said creation alone was not enough. Resolutions covered financing-high-interest loans, delayed Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund disbursement and the need for a low-interest Blue Economy Development Fund; innovation-National Single Window, digital clearance, port automation, green shipping and tech-driven jobs; and policy—harmonising overlapping agencies under one strong, stable, investor-friendly National Blue Economy Policy and implementing communiques rather than just talking.
The ceremony featured a cultural dance by the Tiv Lagos Dancing Group led by Sarah Doose and was attended by dignitaries including Dr. Jonathan Bature Musa, AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat, Mrs. Maria Ihuoma, Mr. Abiola Peters, NIMASA staff, maritime police officers and representatives of NPA, SAHCO PLC, SIFAX Group and NPERA. It ended with awards to distinguished maritime personalities and organisations for their contributions to Nigeria’s maritime industry.
