By Emeka Amaefula
MARINE SECTOR ON LIFE SUPPORT:“POLICY FAILURE, NOT TECHNOLOGY, IS KILLING THIS INDUSTRY,” EFEREBO EXPLODES
The air inside the marine engineering conference crackled with urgency long before Engr/Dr. Sylvanus Eferebo took his seat. As the National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA), he came prepared—not to defend the system, but to confront it head-on. Journalist Ignatius Chukwu conducted the interview session although as a Panelist during the occasion.
The opening question was blunt: Why preach digital transformation when Nigerian passengers still climb onto rickety boats, overloaded crafts and risk their lives on filthy waters every day?
Eferebo didn’t blink. “We advocate policies; we don’t enforce them,” he fired back. “If Nigeria refuses to modernize while the rest of the world advances, we will sink behind global standards. Digital transformation is not a distraction—it is the solution to the very problems people complain about.”
He explained that the sector’s daily tragedies—boat mishaps, engine failures, collisions—are not random accidents but failures of monitoring and regulation.
“Even the accidents you mentioned are caused by lack of smart solutions,” he said. “Digital tools can predict failures, track vessels, stop overloading, and enforce safety. We want smart processes that directly save lives.”
Behind him, the conference buzzed with experts, policymakers, and academics—“an entire ecosystem,” he called it—working toward a communiqué that will form advisory notes for national reforms.
When challenged on whether these conferences ever influence real policy, Eferebo’s reply was swift.
“Yes, they do. Many of the engineering regulations active today came from our recommendations.”
He added, “I chair the COREN Engineering Regulation, Monitoring and Enforcement Committee. We drafted the marine engineering regulations that were recently gazetted. You cannot separate us from regulation.”
Yet, Nigeria’s waters remain filthy. Could digital tools even exist in such chaos? Eferebo cited a powerful insight from Singaporean delegate Jandni Jaja: the missing ingredient is a single national maritime vision.
“Singapore built its strength on one vision,” he said. “Nigeria needs one vision, one pathway, one coordinated roadmap. Right now, agencies operate in silos, each dragging in different directions.”
He spoke passionately about Nigeria’s untapped potential: a vast coastline, massive offshore activity, and resilient, innovative youths.
“Nigeria can lead Africa’s maritime future—if we stop working separately.”
Who should lead the charge? Eferebo believes the push must come from professionals who understand the technical backbone of sustainability.
“NIMENA is taking the lead. We have advocated for the blue economy for over two years,” he said, noting that one of their members now serves as a Special Adviser on the Blue Economy to a state governor. The momentum continues next week at the Nigerian Society of Engineers national conference in Ibadan, where Eferebo will speak on Engineering Innovation for Sustainable Blue Economy.
“At the end,” he said, “our discussions must become national advisory notes. As Jandni said, the real issue is not technology—it’s policy and effective regulation.”
When asked whether the President or the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy is driving this agenda, Eferebo was measured but optimistic.
“The President has done well by creating the Ministry. It’s a baby ministry but with huge responsibilities. They are sponsoring next week’s NSE conference. That shows commitment.”
And finally, the question that hangs over the entire sector: Is there hope? Eferebo didn’t hesitate.“There is very big hope. And it is already happening.”
His voice carried the weight of someone who has seen both the failures and the possibilities of Nigeria’s maritime future — and refuses to give up on either.
——– Emeka Amaefula —–+234(0)8111813069—-
