The Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) has described the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) as “one of Nigeria’s Centres of Excellence in terms of knowledge-driven development on the Blue Economy.”
The declaration was made on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, during a courtesy visit to the Institute by the MARCON Executive Team, led by its National President, Mr. Ismail Aniemu. According to Aniemu, the visit was aimed at establishing a strategic collaboration centered on maritime knowledge sharing, stakeholder engagement, and initiatives to advance Nigeria’s blue economy while opening developmental opportunities for both organizations.
Welcoming the delegation, the Director-General of IMION, Rear Admiral Thaddeus Udofia (Rtd), Ph.D., described IMION as a strategic think tank, research, and training institution established to drive sustainable maritime growth.
Lauding the Institute’s rapid progress, MARCON President Ismail Aniemu noted that IMION’s growing alumni network already cuts across the public and private sectors of the maritime industry within just two years of its existence.
“I want to commend you for the growth the Institute has recorded within the two years of your existence. You are embossing your signature in the sands of time,” Aniemu stated. “You are indeed gifted and blessed with a very hardworking team. MARCON identifies this, and it would not be out of place for us to mention it. Well done to you and the team.”
Aniemu highlighted the relevance of IMION’s problem-solving courses to the wider maritime ecosystem, noting that the knowledge acquired through its programs will contribute to better decision-making and policy implementation across the sector.
As an immediate product of the new alliance, IMION has accepted MARCON’s invitation to participate in its upcoming national Conference on Sustainable Fishing, scheduled for September 30, 2026, in Apapa, Lagos.
The Conference, which focuses on growth pathways, food security, and coastal livelihoods, will examine critical issues around Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, Nigeria’s participation in the aquatic value chain, and overall maritime security. Aniemu stressed that sustainable fishing is a vital component of the blue economy, emphasizing the urgent need for Nigeria to derive maximum value from its extensive aquatic resources.
Rear Admiral Thaddeus Udofia (Rtd) confirmed the Institute’s readiness to deploy its world-class expertise at the upcoming Conference. He challenged MARCON to move beyond passive reporting, urging them to actively participate in the Institute’s academic tracks, track public perceptions of the Institution, and amplify IMION’s strategic initiatives aimed at driving high-value growth across Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
Udofia further charged the media organization to leverage mass media channels to champion values that promote the blue economy, not just within Nigeria, but across the entire Gulf of Guinea. He concluded by noting that stronger interaction between both organizations will foster the dissemination of critical maritime knowledge and address contemporary challenges facing the sector.
