BY PHILIP NWOSU
As concerns grow over maritime insecurity and its impact on global commerce, the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) has announced a high-level executive course designed to address threats to maritime security and their implications for international trade.
The two-day course, titled “Maritime Security and Global Trade: Strategic Perspectives for Nigeria’s Blue Economy,” is scheduled to hold from April 29 to 30 at the IMION Auditorium, located within the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Quorra premises, Naval Base, Apapa, Lagos.
According to a statement signed by the Director General of IMION, Rear Admiral Thaddeus Udofia (rtd), the program is intended to offer participants in-depth insights into the intersection of maritime security and global trade dynamics. He said the course will also provide practical strategies for mitigating risks across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Rear Admiral Udofia noted that maritime security is no longer a niche issue but a core component of global economic stability. “The safety and security of sea lanes are directly linked to the efficiency and sustainability of global trade. As a maritime nation, Nigeria must stay ahead of evolving threats by building capacity and fostering informed dialogue among stakeholders,” he said.
The course will draw participants from across the maritime sector, including Blue Economy operators, port terminal managers, freight forwarders, logistics and supply chain coordinators, exporters, importers, and community leaders from coastal regions. The IMION emphasized that strengthening the capacity of these stakeholders is crucial to identifying vulnerabilities and crafting effective responses.
Key areas to be covered in the course include piracy and armed robbery at sea, port security, maritime domain awareness, international maritime regulations, and the protection of critical maritime infrastructure.
A distinguished faculty of experts has been assembled to facilitate the program. Among them are Mr. William Azuh, a maritime policy consultant with extensive experience at the international level; Rear Admiral Sunday Daniel Atakpa, Director of Operations at the Nigerian Navy and a recognized authority on Nigeria’s Blue Economy; and Dr. Obiora Edwin Madu, a renowned expert in logistics and supply chain management.
Also expected to deliver sessions are Professor Freedom Chukwudi Obioha, Coordinator of Security, Violence, and Conflict Research at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Rear Admiral Francis Akpan (rtd), a former Defence Adviser to Nigeria’s mission in South Africa.
Rear Admiral Udofia added that the program will not only enhance knowledge sharing but will also foster collaboration across institutions and sectors.
“Our goal is to produce a network of professionals who are well-informed, proactive, and capable of leading change in Nigeria’s maritime and trade ecosystems,” he said.
The IMION, a strategic policy think-tank and research institute, has played a key role in advancing maritime education, security research, and advocacy in Nigeria. The upcoming course is part of its broader agenda to support national maritime development and enhance Nigeria’s contribution to secure and resilient global trade routes.