ONYINYECHI NWAIGBA 
Young Nigerians aged 18–28 with innovative ideas for the maritime and blue economy can apply for a national innovation hackathon and 12-week accelerator programme.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has opened applications for its Blue Economy Accelerator Programme (NIMASA-BEAP), creating an opportunity for young innovators to develop solutions for Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy.
The programme is designed to identify promising ideas, strengthen innovative enterprises and help young Nigerians turn solutions to real maritime challenges into viable ventures.
Applications opened on October 5, 2026, and will close on November 13, 2026.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 28 with innovative ideas or solutions that can contribute to the development of Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy.
Applicants do not necessarily need to be established companies. The programme is intended to provide a pathway for promising ideas and innovative ventures to move from concept towards practical solutions and enterprise development.
What Kind of Ideas Are Eligible?
NIMASA-BEAP covers a wide range of areas across the blue economy.
These include:
- Maritime technology and logistics
- Maritime safety, surveillance and security
- Green shipping and vessel decarbonisation
- Port digitisation and smart port solutions
- Seafarer welfare and workforce technology
- Marine waste management and the blue circular economy
- Aquaculture and sustainable fisheries
- Coastal and artisanal fishing value chains
- Ocean data and analytics
- Nature-based coastal defence solutions
- Marine tourism and coastal recreation
- Marine biotechnology
- Deep seabed mining technologies and research
This means the opportunity goes beyond traditional maritime businesses. A technology solution, environmental innovation, data platform or business model that addresses a real challenge within the sector can also fit into the programme.
What Happens After You Apply?
The programme has been structured as a pipeline rather than a single event.
Applications will undergo independent evaluation and due diligence from November 16 to December 2, 2026.
Successful applicants will then participate in the National Innovation Hackathon scheduled for December 8–10, 2026.
Those who progress will enter a 12-week Accelerator Programme in the first quarter of 2027, where they can further develop their solutions and businesses.
The programme is expected to culminate in a National Demo Day in the second quarter of 2027, giving participating ventures an opportunity to showcase their solutions to investors, industry stakeholders and potential partners.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Nigeria’s blue economy is increasingly being viewed as an avenue for economic diversification, job creation and innovation.
Yet having a large maritime space does not automatically translate into economic value. It requires technology, skills, infrastructure, investment and businesses capable of solving problems across the value chain.
That is where programmes such as NIMASA-BEAP could become relevant for young innovators.
For someone working on a solution for smarter ports, cleaner shipping, marine conservation, fisheries, ocean data or maritime logistics, access to structured development and industry exposure can be just as important as having a good idea.
The programme also creates a potential connection between young innovators and the wider maritime ecosystem, including investors and industry stakeholders.
Key Dates
Application opens: October 5, 2026
Application deadline: November 13, 2026
Evaluation and due diligence: November 16–December 2, 2026
National Innovation Hackathon: December 8–10, 2026
12-week Accelerator Programme: Q1 2027
National Demo Day: Q2 2027
How to Apply
Interested young Nigerians should submit their applications through the official NIMASA Blue Economy Accelerator Programme portal before the November 13 deadline.
Applicants should ensure that their ideas clearly address a problem or opportunity within Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy and follow the requirements provided on the official application platform.
For young Nigerians building solutions around the ocean, maritime technology, sustainability, logistics, fisheries, conservation or related areas, this could be an opportunity to take an idea beyond the concept stage.
Applications close November 13, 2026.
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