MARCON 2026: NPA, OGFZA, NEPZA, Tantita to examine free zones, maritime security

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Key government agencies and private sector players in Nigeria’s maritime and free zone ecosystem are set to headline the 2026 Mid-Year Conference of the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON), with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited scheduled to deliver strategic papers at the event.

The conference, slated for June 10, 2026, at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is themed “Special Economic Zones as Catalysts to Sustainable Blue Economy.”

The event is expected to bring together stakeholders across the maritime, logistics, oil and gas, trade, security, and investment sectors to examine how Special Economic Zones (SEZs) can drive industrial growth, deepen trade competitiveness, strengthen maritime security, and accelerate Nigeria’s blue economy agenda.

At the conference, the Nigerian Ports Authority will present a paper titled, “Optimising Port Infrastructure to Unlock the Full Potential of Special Economic Zones in Nigeria.”

The paper will focus on the role of efficient port infrastructure, seamless cargo evacuation, trade facilitation systems, and logistics connectivity in improving the competitiveness and operational efficiency of Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones.

Similarly, the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority will deliver a presentation on “The Strategic Role of Free Zones in Supporting Nigeria’s Blue Economy and Energy Exports.”

The paper is expected to highlight how oil and gas free zones can support industrialisation, boost energy exports, attract foreign direct investment, and stimulate maritime-linked economic activities.

Also scheduled to present is the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, with a paper titled “Unlocking Nigeria’s Blue Economy Through Strategic Development of Free Zones.”

The presentation will examine the role of export processing zones in promoting industrial clusters, expanding export capacity, encouraging coastal economic development, and diversifying Nigeria’s revenue sources beyond oil.

On maritime security, Executive Director, Operations and Technical, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, will present a paper titled “Strengthening Maritime Security in Nigeria: The Role of Private Partnerships in Safeguarding Oil and Shipping Infrastructure.”

The presentation will focus on public-private collaboration in protecting critical maritime assets, combating security threats within Nigeria’s territorial waters, and supporting safer economic activities in offshore and coastal environments.

Chairman of the Planning Committee, Paul Ogbuokiri, described the conference as a strategic intervention designed to foster stronger collaboration among stakeholders operating within Nigeria’s maritime and Special Economic Zones ecosystem.

According to him, the forum will provide an inter-ministerial and multi-sectoral platform for regulators, operators, investors, and private sector players to deliberate on practical solutions capable of unlocking the economic value embedded in Nigeria’s maritime resources and coastal assets.

He added that discussions at the conference would also explore critical linkages between Special Economic Zones and the maritime sector, particularly around cargo handling efficiency, trans-shipment opportunities, trade connectivity, maritime security, and access to global shipping routes needed to position Nigeria as a leading investment hub in Africa’s emerging blue economy.