IMION Calls for Logistics Reform to Boost Nigeria's Blue Economy

The International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) has urged for a radical overhaul of Nigeria's logistics and trade facilitation systems to fully realize the potential of the country's blue economy. This call was made during the closing of a three-day Executive Course on Logistics and Trade Facilitation for Blue Economy Growth.

Dr. Thadeus Udofia, the Director General of IMION, stated that without fundamental reforms in logistics, trade facilitation, and infrastructure, Nigeria's vast maritime resources would not lead to sustainable socio-economic prosperity. The course addressed operational challenges such as inefficiencies, delays, high transaction costs, bureaucratic bottlenecks, inter-agency rivalry, and weak intermodal connectivity.

IMION emphasized that the development of the blue economy requires collaboration among government agencies, security organizations, port authorities, regulators, investors, and private-sector operators. The institute warned that Nigeria risks losing trade opportunities to regional competitors if logistics costs rise and trade processes remain inefficient.