The Director-General of the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION), Rear Adm. Thaddeus Udofia (rtd.), has identified inefficient logistics as a major obstacle to Nigeria fully harnessing the economic potential of its blue economy.
Udofia spoke on Monday, September 7, in Apapa, Lagos, while opening a three-day executive training on “Logistics and Trade Facilitation for Blue Economy Growth.” He said efficient logistics was essential for reducing business costs, strengthening supply chains, facilitating trade and creating jobs.
He noted that Nigeria’s maritime assets include an 853-kilometre coastline, a 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone, inland waterways, creeks, estuaries and the Niger Delta basin. However, he said converting these resources into economic benefits depended on the efficient movement of people, goods, information and services.
Udofia called for stronger collaboration among customs authorities, port operators, regulators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, transport operators, technology providers and financial institutions. He also advocated digitalisation, transparency and coordinated policies, while experts at the training warned that inefficiencies at Nigerian ports continue to increase trade costs and undermine competitiveness.
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