By Philip Nwosu
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has called on the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) to expand its strategic collaborations and intensify efforts to provide cutting-edge maritime knowledge that will propel the country’s blue economy agenda.
Speaking on Wednesday at the unveiling of the remodelled IMION administrative block and auditorium in Apapa, Lagos, the naval chief emphasised that maritime education is the foundation for ending “sea blindness” and unlocking the immense potential of Nigeria’s marine resources.
“We must seek collaboration, seek knowledge, and look for better ways of performing and doing exactly what this institute was designed to do,” Ogalla said, adding, “The objective of this institution is first and foremost to eradicate the issue of sea blindness, which has been one of the critical issues affecting the growth of the sector.”
Vice Admiral Ogalla linked IMION’s mandate directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national development vision, stating that harnessing the resources of the blue economy is critical to lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
“You cannot harness what you do not know,” he noted. “Knowledge is the first step. That is why this institute is crucial—not just for the Navy, but for the economic transformation of this country.”
He also announced plans for a digital maritime library and additional investments to establish IMION as Africa’s foremost centre of excellence in maritime education and innovation.
In his welcome address, Rear Admiral Thaddeus Udofia (rtd), Director-General of IMION, described the occasion as a “milestone in the institute’s journey”, barely a year after it was formally established by the Nigerian Navy on June 1, 2024.
Udofia said the newly refurbished facilities will enhance operational efficiency, foster cross-disciplinary partnerships, and position IMION as a policy and research hub for issues ranging from ocean governance and maritime security to hydrography and law enforcement.
“We are committed to fostering excellence through research, innovation, and strategic collaborations,” he declared. “This is more than infrastructure—it is about enabling a community of maritime thinkers and practitioners dedicated to national development.”
Sea blindness—the public and institutional unawareness of the value of maritime resources—has long hampered Nigeria’s ability to develop its marine economy. With a coastline of over 850km and access to vast exclusive economic zones, experts argue that Nigeria has barely scratched the surface of its maritime potential.
IMION’s establishment is part of a renewed push to train the next generation of maritime leaders, engineers, security experts, and policy thinkers who can harness the blue economy—a concept that includes sustainable use of ocean resources for growth, jobs, and environmental preservation.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with economic challenges, the Navy’s support for institutions like IMION may prove vital to expanding non-oil revenue streams and increasing national resilience.