By Faridat Salifu
A maritime expert has warned that Nigeria’s long absence from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) ‘white list’ has constrained the country’s ability to fully harness the potential of its blue economy.
Andrew Spencer, President of the Caribbean Maritime University, Jamaica, said Nigeria was removed from the IMO’s list of countries properly implementing the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention, 1978, and has remained off it for about 13 to 14 years, limiting maritime opportunities.
Spencer spoke on Tuesday as the guest lecturer at the Convocation Lecture of Olusegun Agagu University of Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State, where the lecture theme was “Strategies for Developing Blue Economy in Nigeria: Lessons from the Caribbean.”
The IMO, a specialised United Nations agency, is responsible for regulating international shipping safety and security and preventing marine pollution, while the “white list” signifies compliance with training and competency standards that facilitate global recognition of a country’s seafarers.
Represented by Ibrahim Ajagunna, Vice President of the Caribbean Maritime University, Spencer said the world is increasingly focused on marine resources, with the sea offering vast opportunities that dwarf those of land‑based economies.
“The sea is ten times bigger than the land and holds more than 80 per cent of the world’s exploitable potential,” he said, urging the Federal Government to pursue reinstatement on the IMO’s “white list” to unlock these opportunities for Nigeria’s citizens.
Spencer commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Ministry of Blue Economy and called on the government to vigorously pursue policies that would help Nigeria tap into its maritime potential.
He also urged the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to strengthen collaboration with international maritime institutions to chart a new strategic direction for the nation’s blue economy.
Spencer said the Caribbean Maritime University has partnered with several institutions globally, signing memoranda of understanding to train maritime professionals in key designations, and noted that OAUSTECH’s strategic location makes it well‑placed to support training for coastal and maritime activities.
Temi Ologunorisa, Vice‑Chancellor of OAUSTECH, praised Spencer’s lecture, saying it offered valuable insights and urged the Federal Government to engage international experts to help realise the blue economy’s full potential.
“The guest lecturer has delivered an enlightening address,” he said, urging greater engagement of experts to turn Nigeria’s blue economy into the “goldmine” it deserves to be.