The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced the opening of the application portal for its Blue Economy Accelerator Programme (NIMASA-BEAP), with a call on young Nigerians to submit innovative ideas capable of driving growth and transformation in the nation’s blue economy.
The portal will open on Monday, October 5, 2026, and is targeted at Nigerian innovators between the ages of 18 and 28.
The initiative, which comprises a National Innovation Hackathon and a 12-week accelerator programme, is designed to identify, nurture, and support young talents developing innovative solutions for Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy sectors.
Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said the programme reflects the Agency’s commitment to positioning young Nigerians as active participants in the development of the blue economy through innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology.
According to Mobereola, Nigeria’s maritime sector holds significant potential for economic growth, job creation and national development, but unlocking those opportunities requires fresh ideas, technological innovation and the active participation of young people.
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“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 stated.
The application portal will remain open from October 5 to November 13, 2026, after which submitted applications will undergo evaluation and due diligence between November 16 and December 2, 2026.
Successful applicants will advance to the National Innovation Hackathon, scheduled for December 8 to 10, 2026, where their ideas will be further developed and assessed as part of the programme’s selection process.
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 2027.
The Demo Day will provide participants with an opportunity to showcase their solutions, demonstrate progress and explore potential partnerships, collaboration and enterprise development opportunities.
NIMASA encouraged eligible young Nigerians with innovative ideas relevant to the maritime and blue economy sectors to take advantage of the programme by submitting their applications through the designated portal within the application period.
The Agency reaffirmed its commitment to fostering innovation, empowering the next generation of maritime entrepreneurs and supporting solutions capable of strengthening Nigeria’s participation in the global blue economy.
