By Abbas Nazil
The Nigerian Society of Engineers, Victoria Island branch (NSEVI), has called on policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and stakeholders to join forces to transform Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The call was made during a press conference on Monday, August 18, to roll out activities for this year’s Engineering Week, themed “Smart Ports and Digital Maritime Systems: Engineering the Future of Nigeria’s Trade Hubs.”
The theme aligns with the national focus on “Engineering Innovation for a Sustainable Blue Economy” and highlights the strategic role of ports in supporting Nigeria’s growing economy.
Engr. Babatunde B. James, FNSE, vice chairman representing the branch chairman, Engr. Aji Ezekiel Agbu, FNSE, emphasized that the theme is timely because ports remain the lifeline of Nigeria’s trade and economic growth.
Engr. James noted that over 80 percent of Nigeria’s trade passes through maritime gateways, making port efficiency and modernization crucial for national competitiveness.
He highlighted that ports worldwide are evolving from physical hubs into digital ecosystems powered by automation, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and advanced data analytics.
According to Engr. James, for Nigeria to remain competitive in global trade and take full advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), its ports must become smart, efficient, transparent, and sustainable.
He stressed that engineers play a central role in driving this transformation and ensuring Nigeria’s ports meet international standards.
NSEVI announced that Engr. Ibrahim Abba Umar, FNSE, Executive Director of Engineering & Technical Services at the Nigerian Ports Authority, will serve as the Distinguished Guest Lecturer for the Engineering Week.
Engr. Umar, a seasoned maritime engineering professional, is expected to provide insights into repositioning Nigeria’s trade hubs through both technical and policy-focused perspectives.
Throughout Engineering Week, NSEVI will engage participants with lectures, panel discussions, technical exhibitions, and networking opportunities aimed at addressing maritime sector challenges.
The society emphasized the need to explore practical solutions, foster collaborations, and introduce innovations that can accelerate the adoption of smarter port systems across Nigeria.
NSEVI urged policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and academics to partner with engineers in driving maritime sector transformation.
The collaboration is expected to create jobs, enhance trade efficiency, and secure Nigeria’s economic future while ensuring sustainable and technologically advanced maritime operations.
By promoting digitalized maritime systems, NSEVI aims to position Nigeria as a competitive player in regional and global trade while fostering a sustainable blue economy.
The Engineering Week activities also seek to inspire stakeholders to adopt best practices in smart port management, leveraging technology to optimize logistics, monitoring, and data-driven decision-making.
Through its advocacy and engagement, NSEVI is pushing for a maritime industry that not only supports economic growth but also meets environmental and technological standards essential for long-term competitiveness.
The society’s initiative represents a significant step toward transforming Nigeria’s ports into modern, digitally enabled trade hubs that can drive the country’s integration into global maritime networks.
