NIMASA opens Blue Economy Accelerator program portal, invites young innovators aged 18–28 to apply for national innovation initiative

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said it is opening application portal for its Blue Economy Accelerator Programme (NIMASA-BEAP) on Monday, October 5, 2026. As a result it is inviting young Nigerian innovators between the ages of 18 and 28 to submit innovative ideas capable of driving growth and transformation in Nigeria’s blue economy.

The initiative, which includes a National Innovation Hackathon and a 12-week accelerator programme, is designed to identify, nurture and support young talents with innovative solutions that can unlock the vast economic opportunities in Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy sectors.

Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, stated that the programme reflects the Agency’s commitment to positioning young Nigerians as active participants in the development of the nation’s blue economy through innovation, entrepreneurship and technology.

According to him, Nigeria’s maritime sector holds enormous potential for economic growth, job creation and national development, but unlocking this potential requires fresh ideas, technological innovation and the active participation of young people.

“The future of Nigeria’s blue economy will be built on ideas, innovation, enterprise and collaboration. Through NIMASA-BEAP, we are creating a platform for young Nigerians to develop practical solutions, transform innovative ideas into viable enterprises and contribute meaningfully to the growth of our maritime sector,” Mobereola said.

The application portal will remain open from October 5 to November 13, 2026, after which submitted applications will undergo evaluation and due diligence from November 16 to December 2, 2026.

Successful applicants will proceed to the National Innovation Hackathon scheduled for December 8–10, 2026, where innovative ideas will be further developed and assessed as part of the programme’s selection process.

The selected innovators will subsequently participate in a 12-week accelerator programme in the first quarter of 2027, culminating in a National Demo Day in the second quarter of the year. The Demo Day will provide a platform for participants to showcase their solutions, demonstrate their progress and explore opportunities for collaboration and enterprise development.

NIMASA encourages eligible young Nigerians with innovative ideas and solutions relevant to the maritime and blue economy sectors to take advantage of this opportunity by submitting their applications through the programme portal once it opens.

The Agency reiterated its commitment to fostering innovation, empowering the next generation of maritime entrepreneurs and supporting solutions that will strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global blue economy.