The International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) organised an Executive Course on Logistics and Trade Facilitation for Blue Economy Growth from 7– 9 September 2026 at the IMION Auditorium, Apapa, Lagos. The Director General, while declaring the event open, informed the diverse assemblage of participants that the Course objectives were to provide them with clear understanding of the foundational principles of the Blue Economy and its logistics ecosystem, mapping of Nigeria’s key maritime corridors and how logistics shape economic outcomes. Other key objectives include diagnosing systemic inefficiency in Nigeria’s maritime logistics, evaluating trade facilitation tools and regulatory framework that support seamless coastal and cross border trade as well as developing a comprehensive logistic and trade facilitation road map to drive profitability in the transportation of blue economy sub-sectors
The Course brought together 47 participants from key maritime stakeholder organization including the Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Ports Economy Regulatory Agency, Maritime industry professionals, the Academia, Logistics Practitioners and Policymakers. The deliberations centered on strategies for improving logistics systems and trade facilitation as essential drivers of Nigeria’s blue economy and by extension, national development. The Course further provided a platform for participants to exchange knowledge, identify challenges, and explore practical solutions for strengthening maritime transportation, port operations, fisheries and aquaculture, supply chains, trade processes, and other activities within the blue economy. At the end of the 3-day intensive Executive Course, the Director General charged the participants to be change agents spearheading the push for practical reforms and translating what they have learnt into actionable policies. The Course was judged to be successful with about 75% of participants who participated in a feedback survey expressing high level of satisfaction with the Course. Overall, the feedback reflects a positive assessment of the Course content, organization and delivery. With 95% of participants expressing willingness to participate in subsequent IMION Courses in the near future.
