Oyetola, Agbakoba, Omatseye To Headline 2026 SCAN Summit

By Saheed Olatunji, Reporter

ADEGBOYEGA Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, is scheduled to headline the upcoming Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) Summit as the Special Guest of Honour.

At the summit, industry players and stakeholders will map out solutions to the financial and regulatory hurdles hindering indigenous shipowners.

Scheduled for October 29, 2026, at Rockview Hotels, Apapa, Lagos, the upcoming summit—themed “Low-Risk Capital For Indigenous Shipowners: Overcoming Regulatory, Financial Bottlenecks”—will convene key stakeholders from government, regulation, finance, and the maritime sector to unlock affordable funding and advance Nigerian shipping capacity.

Oyetola’s participation comes amid growing calls for improved access to funding and a more enabling regulatory environment to support Nigerian shipowners and expand the capacity of the country’s indigenous fleet.

The event will be held under the distinguished chairmanship of Barr. Temisan Omatseye, former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Founding Partner of OAL and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), will deliver the keynote address.

Also scheduled to attend the event are Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Dr. Pius Akutah, Director General/CEO of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA); and Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

In a statement issued today, Sunday, SCAN President Moses Ebosele announced that preparations for the event are complete.

He noted that despite Nigeria’s vast maritime potential, foreign operators continue to dominate the sector by controlling over 95% of imports, exports, and freight earnings. Meanwhile, local participation remains critically low, with indigenous shipowners capturing a mere 4% to 5% of the market.

Yusuf Babalola, former President of the association and current chairman of the organisng committee, noted that the summit provides an opportunity for stakeholders to brainstorm permanent solutions to these challenges.