The New Experience Newspaper At 9: Demand Immediate Action to Unlock Nigeria’s Blue Economy
The New Experience Newspaper has called for urgent, coordinated and practical action to unlock Nigeria’s vast blue economy potential as a pathway to a $1 trillion economy, job creation and food security.
The call was the central resolution at the newspaper’s 5th Annual Lecture and Awards Ceremony held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Apapa, Lagos, to mark its 9th anniversary.
The event had as theme: _”Blue Economy in Action: Financing, Innovation and Policy for Nigeria’s Maritime Future.”_
The event drew regulators, operators, financiers, security agencies and media leaders including officials of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), SIFAX Group, Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Nigeria Customs Service, Maritime Police Command, and Royal Fathers.
The Chairman of the Occasion was _Chief Chamberlain Oyibo_ the former Group Managing Director of NNPC. Representing the Chairman, _Chief Ibitrokoemi Seddon (Alabo)_ declared the lecture open and narrated the humble beginnings of the newspaper. He recalled how Prince Benson Davies came with the vision to start The New Experience and was initially discouraged because of the roughness of journalism, but his doggedness, resilience and determination prevailed.
“From that small beginning, The New Experience has become a respected voice, reporting the truth without fear or favour. Prince is indeed a covenant child. What God has ordained, no man can stop. Chairman asked me to specially tell you, Prince, that he is very proud of you,” Chief Seddon stated.
He said Nigeria’s 853-kilometre coastline would remain potential without action, and identified three action pillars: deliberate maritime financing including a Blue Economy Development Fund, innovation through smart ports and single window, and consistent, investor-friendly policy.
Publisher: Nine Years of Courage and Credibility
In his welcome address, Publisher and CEO, _Prince Benson Davies_, described September 24, 2026 as historic, marking nine years since the newspaper’s voyage began on May 17, 2017.
“It marks exactly nine years of resilience, of truth-telling, of consistency, and of service to the maritime industry and to Nigeria,” Davies said, recalling how the first three lectures were held at the modest hall of Presken Hotels, Ikeja, and how at the height of COVID-19 in 2020, the newspaper hosted over 800 guests when many organisations were scaling down.
He thanked lead partners – NPA, NIMASA, SIFAX Group and Widescope International Logistics Limited – and their image managers _Mr. IK. Oyemakara_ of NPA, _Mr. Edward Osagie_ of NIMASA, and _Mr. Muyiwa Akande_ of SIFAX Group.
He also particularly appreciated _SAHCO PLC_ MD/CEO _Mrs. Adenike Aboderin_ and GM Corporate Communications and Strategy _Mrs. Vanessa Uansohia_; NPERA and its Head of Public Relations _Madam Rebecca Adamu_, The Nigeria Customs Area Comptrollers of Airport Command, PTML, DPO Apapa Division _CSP Kamal Momoh;AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat of Maritime Police Command; _Princess Adenike Adegoke_, Director, Lagos Operations, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN); _Mr. Abiola Peters_, General Manager, Radio 103.5FM; _Mrs. Maria Ihuoma_, General Manager, Metro 97.7FM; _Mr. Abdulwahab Akoshile_, General Manager, Bond 92.9FM; _Alhaji Nurudeen Yahya (Chief Imam), Pastor Dr. Bukky Bright_; _Pastor S.O. Akindubi_, CEO of CASAMOL Commercial Services; _Bro. Ayibo Roberts Josephus, Mr Inuwa Ben Kurahson, Oniyide Segunmade, Chief IB. Seddon_ of Prowwith Integrated Services; _Madam Obinma Obianuju (Obi-Aku)_, CEO Supreme Master Limited; and _Mr. Okaka Ferdinand_.
In her keynote speech, _Amb. Dr. Dorcas Masu Daniel Bature, who doubles as the , Chairperson of the Anniversary Committee and Chairperson, CILT Lagos Chapter, said Nigeria, with its coastline, strategic location in the Gulf of Guinea and large youth population, has failed to translate natural advantage into prosperity.
She decried that Nigeria still spends billions importing fish despite vast aquatic resources, making fish unaffordable for households, and urged investment in fisheries and aquaculture to create jobs and guarantee food security.
“The blue economy is Nigeria’s frontier now, not tomorrow,” Bature declared, listing policy, funding and innovation as three pillars that must work together.
On funding, she said Nigeria’s problem is not lack of money but management and allocation, calling for transparent, merit-based access to finance for genuine operators and youth aged 18-28 to develop technology-driven solutions, and demanding that the proposed $1 billion innovation fund reach real beneficiaries. She advocated a sovereign blue bond to finance port modernisation, cold-chain facilities and fish terminals.
She called for a coordinated regulatory framework that clearly defines roles of NIMASA, NPA and NIWA to reduce duplication, improve efficiency, attract investors and boost revenue; digitisation of port operations, single window, rail expansion and intermodal transport to reduce cargo dwell time and cost; sustained investment in maritime security through the Deep Blue Project and collaboration with regional navies; and collective action against coastal erosion, oil spills, plastic pollution and waste dumping.
The Panelists agreed the biggest challenge is high-interest, short-term lending by Nigerian banks who fear maritime risks. They called for finally disbursing the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) after over 20 years of waiting, and establishing a dedicated, low-interest Blue Economy Development Fund.
SIFAX Group was cited as a success story of resilience and strategic financing that younger investors should emulate.
On innovation, stakeholders agreed Nigerian ports remain among the most expensive globally due to manual processes. They urged immediate implementation of National Single Window, digital clearance and port automation to cut costs and dwell time. On green shipping and decarbonisation, panelists warned Nigeria risks being left behind if it fails to prepare for global clean energy transition.
They also called for tech-driven jobs in fishing, aquaculture, boat building and coastal tourism for youths.
Dignitaries, Cultural Display and Awards
The ceremony was coloured by a cultural dance performance by the _Tiv Lagos Dancing Group_ led by _Sarah Doose_, with members _Mrs. Unalagh Rita_ and _Miss Nguemo Hungwa_, showcasing Tiv cultural heritage.
Dignitaries present included _Chief IB. Seddon_, CEO Prowwith Integrated Services; who represented the chairman of the occasion _Chief Chamberlain Oyibo_ former Group managing director of NNPC, _Dr. Jonathan Bature Musa_, NDC senatorial candidate for Plateau North and husband of the keynote speaker _Amb Dorcas Daniel Masu Bature_, _AIG Okunade Ronke Nurat, FSI, MSPSP_; _Mrs. Maria Ihuoma_; _Mr. Abiola Peters_; _NIMASA staff delegation who came to represent the Agency_; _Awardees including Mr Roberts Ayibo Josephus, Mr Inuwa Ben Kurahson, Oniyide Segunmade, and others from NPA, SAHCO PLC, SIFAX Group and NPERA_; the AIG Maritime police Command representatives, _Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr. Lion Oyin Frances Adegbite; the PRO of the Maritime Command, ASP Adebayo Rasheed_ and other officers.
The event ended with awards to distinguished maritime personalities and organisations for their contributions to Nigeria’s maritime industry.
