The Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) is set to convene stakeholders across Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy sectors for its 2026 Maritime Training Summit, scheduled to hold on September 4, 2026, in Lagos.
The one-day summit, themed “The Power of Innovation in a Future-Ready Maritime Training Agenda,” will take place at the Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Ikeja, from 10:00 a.m.
The event is aimed at placing human capital development at the heart of Nigeria’s efforts to maximise the vast economic opportunities available in the blue economy.
AMJON said the summit would bring together policymakers, maritime regulators, industry practitioners, academics, development partners and other stakeholders for discussions on how innovation, technology and continuous professional development can strengthen Nigeria’s maritime workforce and promote sustainable growth across the sector.
According to the Association, Nigeria’s strategic coastal location provides significant access to international maritime trade routes and vast marine resources. However, it noted that these natural advantages could not be fully translated into sustainable economic prosperity without a competent, skilled and technology-driven workforce.
AMJON said the maritime sector, which encompasses ports, shipping, logistics, fisheries, offshore energy, shipbuilding and repairs, as well as emerging blue economy activities, remains critical to transforming Nigeria’s maritime resources into sustainable economic value.
The Association stressed that sustained investment in maritime education, training, retraining and continuous capacity development is essential to building the indigenous manpower required to drive the sector and compete effectively in the global maritime 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, who is expected to speak on “An Overview of Customs Journey for National Economic Security Using Cutting-Edge Innovations.”
AMJON said the invitation underscores the growing importance of innovation and digital transformation in maritime trade, border management, revenue generation and national economic security.
The Association acknowledged recent technological and operational reforms introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service, including the home-grown Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), known as B’Odogwu, its integration with the National Single Window initiative, and other measures designed to improve trade facilitation and revenue collection.
Other innovations expected to feature in discussions include the Time Release Study, which seeks to identify and reduce delays in the clearance of goods under customs control; the One Stop Shop initiative aimed at harmonising operations; and the deployment of drones for geospatial border surveillance.
AMJON said the initiatives demonstrate the potential of technology and innovation to transform traditional maritime and border management systems while strengthening national economic security and facilitating legitimate trade.
The summit is expected to attract senior government officials, maritime regulators, heads of government agencies, shipping and port operators, terminal operators, freight forwarders, customs brokers, maritime training institutions, academics, technology experts, development partners and other stakeholders within Nigeria’s blue economy ecosystem.
Participants will examine the skills gap confronting the maritime industry and explore practical strategies for developing a future-ready workforce capable of responding to emerging technologies, changing global trade patterns and evolving regulatory requirements.
Key issues expected to feature prominently at the summit include the future of maritime training in the digital age, technology-driven capacity development, artificial intelligence and automation in maritime operations, digitalisation of ports and customs processes, maritime safety and security, workforce reskilling and upskilling, indigenous manpower development, innovation in maritime education, and the role of public-private partnerships in building a competitive maritime workforce.
Stakeholders are also expected to deliberate on ways of strengthening Nigeria’s maritime training institutions and aligning curricula with the evolving demands of shipping, port operations, logistics, customs administration, offshore activities and other emerging blue economy sectors.
AMJON President, Vera Osokpo, said the summit was conceived to contribute to the national conversation on how Nigeria could harness innovation and human capital to unlock greater value from its maritime assets.
She stressed that building a future-ready maritime industry would require a workforce equipped with contemporary knowledge, technical competence and the capacity to adapt to rapid technological changes.
Osokpo added that the summit would further reinforce the role of maritime journalism in promoting informed public discourse, policy engagement and accountability within the maritime sector.
AMJON has therefore called on government agencies, private-sector operators, financial institutions, development organisations and other stakeholders to support the summit as part of broader efforts to promote capacity development and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s maritime industry.
The Association expressed confidence that the September 4 summit would generate actionable recommendations capable of advancing Nigeria’s maritime human capital development agenda and strengthening the country’s position as a major player in the global blue economy.
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