The Consultant of the Nigeria Maritime Exhibition (NIMAREX), Ms. Funmi Folorunsho, has confirmed that preparations for the event are progressing smoothly, with key stakeholders finalizing their working agreement ahead of the scheduled June 2025 date.
NIMAREX, an annual maritime expo was conceived in 2011 by indigenous ship owners to showcase Nigeria’s enormous maritime potentials to international investors. Apart from showcasing Nigeria’s maritime accomplishments, NIMAREX helped the federal government during this period by establishing appropriate Acts and laws to encourage the indigenous practitioners.
Unfortunately, in-fighting between the indigenous operators led to the collapse of NIMAREX. The annual event went into limbo after a lackluster edition in 2016.
The President of Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA); Otunba Sola Adewumi had expressed optimism on the possibility of resuscitating the Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) which had always been a cardinal priority of his plans for the shipping industry during his tenure.
The association helmsman however stressed the association’s ongoing commitment to restoring NIMAREX despite encountering formidable challenges in their pursuit of organizing a successful and meaningful event in 2024.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry recently visited the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) to discuss and collaborate on the need to bring back NIMAREX.
The delegation and members of the planning committee of NIMAREX 2025 led by its Consultant, and President of Indigenous Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Ms Funmi Folorunsho also included the Chairman, Ports Consultative Council (PCC), Mr Bolaji Sunmola, Captain Ebubeogu Iheanacho, members of Women in Maritime (WIMA) amongst others.
The Director General of LCCI; Dr. Chinyere Almonah recognised the importance of Nigeria’s maritime industry to the Growth and Development of the country. The LCCI Boss who gave commitment to deliver a paper at NIMAREX 2025 also assured the visiting team that the LCCI will take advantage of NIMAREX 2025 to sensitise stakeholders in Nigeria’s economy on the need to make the country a maritime nation where the potentials are fully harnessed.
However, in an exclusive chat with Shipping Position Daily last week, the Director General of NIMAREX, Ms. Funmi Folorunsho confirmed that discussions between the LCCI and NIMAREX are progressing, with details of their working agreement expected to emerge soon.
Giving updates on the collaboration between the LCCI and NIMAREX, the Director General stated that discussions have been open and transparent, with both organizations aligning on a shared vision.
“All that was discussed at LCCI was in the public view. The details of the working agreement. It is a legal document. LCCI and NIMAREX have identified the possibilities of NIMAREX and are going to be working together”, she said.
Reaffirming the June timeline for NIMAREX, Ms. Folorunsho expressed optimism about the event’s success. “We have NIMAREX happening in June, certainly by God’s grace,” she assured.
Addressing concerns about division among maritime stakeholders, she dismissed claims of polarization. She also emphasised the collective efforts of major ship-owning interests, including the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), the Nigerian Indigenous Shipowners Association (NISA), and the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, in organizing NIMAREX.
She urged industry players to focus on unity for the advancement of the maritime sector, stressing the need for cooperation rather than division.
“All the ship-owning interests have come together, SOAN, NISA, and the Nigeria Chamber of Shipping have come together since last year to put NIMAREX in place. They have been working behind the scenes, and if you visit the NIMAREX website, you will see the progress,” she stated.
