By Abbas Nazil
Alhaji Suleiman Adama, a technocrat with extensive experience across maritime operations, waste management and other sectors, is being recognised as NatureNews Africa’s Eco-Personality of the Week for his contributions to Nigeria’s emerging blue economy and waste management ecosystem.
Adama is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Blue Economy Resources Nigeria Limited, described in his bio-data as a pioneer private-sector-led blue economy enterprise established in 2020.
His environmental and waste management engagements also include serving as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Waste 360 Environmental Services Limited, while he is a Co-founder and pioneer National Secretary of the Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN).
Through his work with WAPAN, Adama has contributed to positioning waste pickers as critical stakeholders within Nigeria’s waste management ecosystem since 2023.
He is also a Council Member of the Waste Recyclers Council of Nigeria and Secretary to the WAPAN Advisory Council, reflecting his involvement in efforts connected to waste management and recycling.
His professional career spans several sectors, including the arts, maritime, agriculture, banking, insurance, media and humanitarian services, giving him a broad range of experience that cuts across different areas of economic and social development.
Adama has also built professional expertise in maritime and shipping operations, banking, insurance, effective communication, capacity building and new media.
His contribution to the maritime sector earned him a Letter of Commendation from the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for his contributions to policy formulation and implementation.
The commendation recognised his contributions in areas including inter-agency cooperation, the removal of shipwrecks and derelicts from Nigerian waterways, and the compilation of NIMASA seminar papers.
Beyond his professional engagements, Adama has received several recognitions for his contributions and achievements.
These include a Letter of Appreciation from Nigeria’s Minister of Finance for youth mentorship and a Nigerian Post Newspaper Award for Creativity and Innovation.
He is also a Patron of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, a member of the International Multi-Modal Transport Association in Geneva, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Mentoring and Career Coaching.
His educational and professional foundation includes training at the United States Merchant Maritime Academy, Kings Point, New York, as well as Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Adama’s work reflects the growing intersection between Nigeria’s maritime economy, environmental management, recycling and the broader blue economy, areas that are increasingly important to sustainable development and livelihood creation.
Away from his professional activities, he is an avid golfer and a member of Port Harcourt Club 1938.
He was also the Overall Winner of the prestigious Port Harcourt Golf Open Tournament, adding another dimension to a career marked by diverse professional, environmental and social engagements.
With his involvement in blue economy development, waste management, recycling and maritime affairs, Adama continues to occupy a notable space in conversations around Nigeria’s environmental and economic sustainability.
