The Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) has officially opened its 2025 Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony, themed “Harnessing Nigeria’s Blue Economy Potential: Boosting Export Multimodal Cargo Transport.”
The event, which took place on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, attracted key industry stakeholders, policymakers, and maritime professionals who gathered to discuss strategies for unlocking the nation’s vast ocean economy and driving sustainable export growth through multimodal transport systems.
Declaring the conference open, Dr. Eugene Ifeanyichukwu Nweke, Chairman of the Occasion and a respected maritime expert, applauded AMJON for sustaining its annual tradition of advocacy and knowledge exchange. He emphasized that the blue economy represents a major pillar of Nigeria’s diversification agenda and urged all stakeholders to commit to transforming the country’s maritime assets into engines of national prosperity.
“This conference is not just a gathering—it is a call to action. Nigeria possesses abundant marine and transport resources, yet we have allowed external interests to dominate our waters and dictate our trade patterns. We must take charge, harness our resources responsibly, and turn our maritime corridors into pathways of growth and productivity,” Dr. Nweke declared.
He noted that the future of Nigeria’s export economy lies in the effective integration of sea, rail, and road transport networks to facilitate seamless cargo movement, reduce logistics costs, and attract global investment.
“Our blue economy must be repositioned to serve as the lifeline of Nigeria’s non-oil export growth. A robust multimodal transport system will not only enhance trade efficiency but also create millions of jobs across the value chain,” he added.
In his goodwill address, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy commended AMJON for its consistent efforts in bridging the gap between government policy, industry performance, and public understanding of maritime affairs. He highlighted that Nigeria’s maritime domain, if strategically managed, could contribute significantly to foreign exchange earnings, economic diversification, and sustainable development.
“The blue economy is not just a global trend—it is a necessity for Nigeria’s economic survival. Our ports, coastal communities, and ocean resources hold transformative potential. Together, we must turn our coasts into corridors of commerce and our waters into avenues of shared prosperity,” the Minister remarked.
He urged journalists, policymakers, and private investors to collaborate in ensuring transparency, accountability, and innovation within the maritime sector.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the President of AMJON reaffirmed the association’s commitment to serving as a vital link between maritime stakeholders and the public through advocacy, education, and credible reporting. He described the 2025 edition of the conference as a milestone in AMJON’s mission to promote sectoral growth and national development.
The conference featured paper presentations, panel discussions, and the 2025 AMJON Awards, recognizing distinguished individuals and organizations for their contributions to Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy development.
Declaring the event open, Dr. Eugene Nweke urged all participants to engage actively, share insights, and propose actionable strategies that would help unlock Nigeria’s full blue economy potential.
“Let us use this platform to transform ideas into action. The time to harness our ocean wealth and build a sustainable export system is now,” he concluded to a resounding applause.
Dr. Eugene Nweke declared open the 2025 AMJON Conference and Awards in Lagos, urging stakeholders to harness Nigeria’s blue economy and develop efficient multimodal transport systems to boost export growth.
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