The Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) has described the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) as a centre of excellence in knowledge-driven development of Nigeria’s blue economy.
The organisation made the assessment on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, when its executive team, led by National President, Ismail Aniemu, paid a courtesy visit to IMION.
The visit was aimed at building strategic cooperation between both organisations through maritime knowledge sharing, stakeholder engagement and initiatives capable of creating new opportunities within Nigeria’s blue economy.
Receiving the delegation, IMION Director General, Rear Admiral Thaddeus Udofia (rtd), Ph.D., described the institute as a strategic think tank, research and training institution established to promote sustainable growth across the maritime sector.
Aniemu commended IMION for the progress it had recorded within two years, particularly the growing network of alumni now working across the public and private sectors of the maritime industry.
“I want to commend you for the growth the Institute has recorded within the two years of your existence. You are embossing your signature in the sands of time,” Aniemu said.
He also praised the IMION team for its commitment and described the institute’s specialised courses as relevant to addressing challenges confronting the maritime industry.
According to him, knowledge acquired through IMION’s programmes could support improved decision making, policy implementation and professional capacity across Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem.
As part of the emerging partnership, IMION accepted MARCON’s invitation to participate in its National Conference on Sustainable Fishing scheduled for September 30, 2026, in Apapa, Lagos.
The conference is expected to examine sustainable fishing, food security and coastal livelihoods, with discussions focusing on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, Nigeria’s participation in the aquatic value chain and maritime security.
Aniemu said sustainable fishing remained an important component of the blue economy and stressed the need for Nigeria to maximise the economic and social value of its vast aquatic resources.
Udofia assured MARCON of IMION’s readiness to contribute its expertise to the conference, while urging the media body to deepen its engagement with the institute through academic programmes, public perception monitoring and wider coverage of its strategic initiatives.
He also called on the media to use its platforms to promote knowledge and values that would strengthen the blue economy in Nigeria and the wider Gulf of Guinea, adding that sustained interaction between MARCON and IMION would support wider dissemination of maritime knowledge and contribute to addressing emerging challenges in the sector.