Technology-driven reforms and operational innovations in Nigeria’s maritime and trade facilitation sector will take centre stage at the 2026 Maritime Training Summit of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON), scheduled for September 4 in Lagos.
The summit, which will hold at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, from 10:00 a.m., will focus on the theme, “The Power of Innovation in a Future-Ready Maritime Training Agenda.”
The event is expected to bring together policymakers, regulators, maritime agencies, port and shipping operators, academics, technology experts and other stakeholders to examine how innovation can transform Nigeria’s maritime workforce and strengthen the country’s blue economy.
A major highlight of the summit will be a presentation by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, titled “An Overview of Customs Journey for National Economic Security Using Cutting-Edge Innovations.”
AMJON said the decision to feature the Customs Service prominently reflects the growing importance of technology and innovation in trade facilitation, revenue mobilisation, border management and national economic security.
According to the association, the NCS has in recent years implemented several technology-driven and operational reforms, including the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), popularly known as B’Odogwu, as well as its synchronisation with the National Single Window initiative.
AMJON said the reforms have transformed customs operations, with digitalisation becoming increasingly central to cargo clearance, trade facilitation, revenue collection and enforcement.
Other innovations expected to come under discussion include the Time Release Study, which is designed to identify bottlenecks and facilitate faster cargo clearance; the One Stop Shop approach aimed at harmonising the operations of various units; and the deployment of drones for geospatial border surveillance.
The summit will examine how these innovations can be sustained, replicated and integrated into a broader maritime human capital development strategy.
AMJON said Nigeria’s ability to maximise the opportunities in the blue economy would depend not only on its coastal resources and marine assets but also on the availability of skilled indigenous manpower capable of deploying modern technologies across the maritime value chain.
The association noted that the maritime sector, spanning ports, shipping, logistics, fisheries, offshore energy, shipbuilding and repairs, as well as emerging blue economy activities, requires continuous training, retraining and professional development to remain globally competitive.
Discussions at the summit are expected to cover digital transformation of maritime operations, artificial intelligence and automation, future maritime skills, workforce reskilling and upskilling, maritime safety and security, technology-driven customs administration, port digitalisation, indigenous manpower development and innovation in maritime education.
Participants will also examine the role of public-private partnerships, regulatory agencies and training institutions in developing a workforce capable of adapting to emerging technologies and evolving international maritime standards.
The summit is expected to attract senior government officials, heads of maritime agencies, representatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, shipping and port operators, terminal operators, freight forwarders, customs brokers, maritime training institutions, academics, technology companies and other stakeholders in the blue economy.
AMJON President, Vera Osokpo, said the summit was designed to stimulate practical discussions on the future of maritime training and ensure that Nigeria’s workforce keeps pace with technological developments reshaping the global maritime industry.
She stressed the importance of innovation-driven capacity development, noting that Nigeria must not only possess maritime resources but also develop the human capacity required to convert them into sustainable economic value.
The summit will equally provide an opportunity for maritime journalists to deepen their understanding of emerging technologies, regulatory developments and operational reforms in the sector, with a view to strengthening specialised reporting and public awareness.
AMJON said it expects the summit to produce practical recommendations that would support the development of a future-ready maritime workforce and contribute to Nigeria’s broader efforts to unlock the economic potential of the blue economy.
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