Active marine activity in Nigeria prompts change

Nigeria’s reactivated IMarEST branch to meet needs of local maritime professionals, says senior engineer.

Wherever you are in the world, it’s likely you’re not too far from a fellow IMarEST member. Indeed, with a membership that spans 120 countries, the London-headquartered Institute is truly global, with members able to join local branches in their home country to make the most of technical lectures, conferences, meetings and networking events.  

Nigeria, with a thriving maritime sector, is in the process of rejuvenating its IMarEST branch. The country is no stranger to IMarEST; indeed, the previously dormant branch was in existence from the days when IMarEST was simply the Institute of Marine Engineers. 

“IMarEST has existed in Nigeria for a long time, but it became inactive and we're now looking to reactivate it,” says Chukwudi Unegbu, a Principal Subsea Systems & Hardware Engineer at Shell. “There’re a lot of marine activities here, from fisheries and aquaculture, maritime shipping and transportation, marine biotechnology and conservation, Navy, to shallow & deepwater oil and gas. 

“These activities are also supported by various government agencies such as the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy that develops policies, infrastructure, and institutions to support sustainable marine activities. [The] Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) plays a vital role in regulating and promoting maritime safety and security. All these activities among others have Nigerian professionals working [in them] and who welcome opportunities to develop their careers.” 

Indeed, many Nigerians currently working in the country’s maritime sector are already members. It is believed the country is home to the most IMarEST members of any country in Africa. 

“There are a very large number of Nigerian professionals in the maritime and offshore sector, many of whom studied in the UK, and joined IMarEST as students there,” he explains. “Now they are here, working in Nigeria, and it makes sense for them to have a branch here.” 

Unlocking the potential 

The reactivation of the Nigerian branch comes at an exciting time for the country, the most populous and richest in Africa. A new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is working to unlock the tremendous potential of the country’s marine heritage and the vast opportunities it presents for economic growth and sustainable development.  

Inevitably, these opportunities are largely focused on serving Nigeria’s vast oil and gas industry, which in May 2025 pumped 1.66 million barrels of oil per day, hosts Africa’s largest oil refinery and meets around five percent of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) demand. 

The shipping that supports this important industry was boosted earlier this year when “state oil firm NNPC announced a joint venture with Swedish tanker giant Stena Bulk and Nigerian offshore logistics leader Caverton Marine to overhaul maritime transportation in West Africa”, according to a report from Reuters. 

Meanwhile the long-awaited Regional Maritime Development Bank (RMDB), a dedicated financial institution that will provide long-term funding solutions for port infrastructure, fleet acquisition, shipping logistics, and intermodal transport systems in the region, has finally got the greenlight. 

While it is clear Nigeria has issues, not least from attacks on key oil and gas infrastructure in areas such as Rivers State, it also boasts a young population, keen to develop their careers and make international connections. 

Other international bodies are already active in the country to help people develop their professional careers and now it is again time for IMarEST, which brings together many disciplines that can work together to add real value to Nigeria’s maritime industries, to reassert its footprint in the fast-growing country. “There's a lot of potential here for IMarEST,” concludes Unegbu. 

IMarEST’s Nigerian branch is currently seeking new members. 

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Image: Bonny Jetty in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Credit: Shutterstock.