The International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) is set to hold an executive course aimed at building capacity among maritime professionals and stakeholders, as a strategic effort to boost Nigeria’s maritime security architecture and deepen the nation’s role in global trade.
Scheduled to hold from April 29 to 30 at the IMION Auditorium, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Quorra premises in Apapa, Lagos, the two-day course is part of IMION’s ongoing mission to equip stakeholders with the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle emerging threats in the maritime domain.
The Director General of IMION, Rear Admiral Thaddeus Udofia (rtd), in an official statement, said the course is designed to provide strategic insights into the role of maritime security in sustaining global trade and protecting Nigeria’s economic interests along its coastal waters and beyond.
“Maritime insecurity poses a direct threat not only to Nigeria’s economic growth but also to regional and international trade routes. This course is timely and essential for empowering our maritime community to respond effectively to both traditional and non-traditional threats at sea,” Udofia stated.
Participants in the course will include a broad range of professionals from the Blue Economy — such as port terminal operators, logistics and freight companies, supply chain managers, importers and exporters — as well as coastal community leaders and key public sector stakeholders.
The IMION said the course would address critical areas including piracy and sea robbery, maritime situational awareness, security policy formulation, port infrastructure protection, international maritime law, and crisis response planning. The objective is to help participants recognize maritime threats early and develop proactive, real-world solutions.
A panel of top-tier facilitators will lead discussions and simulations during the course. These include Mr. William Azuh, a maritime consultant with global policy experience; Rear Admiral Sunday Daniel Atakpa, Director of Operations at the Nigerian Navy and a Blue Economy strategist; Dr. Obiora Edwin Madu, an expert in logistics and supply chain; Professor Freedom Chukwudi Obioha, a conflict and security researcher from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; and Rear Admiral Francis Akpan (rtd), a former Nigerian Defence Adviser to South Africa.
Rear Admiral Udofia noted that maritime security has become a central pillar in Nigeria’s broader national security strategy. “By bringing together experts, operators, and policymakers, this course will foster the kind of collaboration and intelligence-sharing necessary to protect our maritime assets and boost investor confidence in the sector,” he said.
He emphasized that the training aligns with the Federal Government’s Blue Economy agenda, which seeks to harness the economic potential of Nigeria’s vast marine and coastal resources through sustainable practices and robust security frameworks.
The IMION, established as a maritime think-tank and research institute, plays a key role in advancing policy, strategy, and education within Nigeria’s maritime sector. Its programs are tailored to address evolving challenges in trade, security, and maritime governance.
With this executive course, IMION continues to position itself as a key player in Nigeria’s quest to become a maritime security and logistics hub for West and Central Africa.
Participation in the course attracts a fee of ₦150,000 and is open to stakeholders across the blue economy, including port operators, freight forwarders, supply chain managers, importers and exporters, among others.
For further enquiries, the organisers can be reached via +234 818 089 0321 or +234 803 342 0114.
