In a landmark move, President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Regional Maritime Development Bank (RMDB), appointing Mr. Adeniran Aderogba as its pioneer President and Chief Executive Officer. The announcement, made by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, in Abuja on Thursday, May 22, 2025, marks the culmination of a 16-year effort to operationalize the bank, first approved in 2009 by the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA). Oyetola hailed the development as a testament to Tinubu’s decisive leadership, breaking a longstanding institutional deadlock.
The RMDB is envisioned as a pivotal financial institution dedicated to funding critical maritime infrastructure, including port development, fleet acquisition, shipping logistics, and intermodal transport systems across West and Central Africa. This aligns with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes infrastructure growth and regional partnerships to drive economic prosperity. Oyetola emphasized, “This is a moment of great significance for Nigeria and the entire West and Central African sub-region. After 16 years of waiting, the Regional Maritime Development Bank is finally taking off.”
Aderogba, a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience in maritime administration, finance, and investment, is poised to lead the RMDB’s transformative mission. His career includes key roles such as Executive Director of Finance and Administration at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), where he also served as Acting Director General. Aderogba’s financial expertise spans senior positions at First Atlantic Bank Plc and MBC International Bank Ltd, where he managed investment banking and trade finance. As the founder of CLG Securities Limited, he has led transactions exceeding $5 billion, earning recognition for introducing financial instruments like the Nigerian Inter-Bank Offered Rate (NIBOR). A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and a University of Lagos graduate, Aderogba’s appointment has been widely praised as a strategic choice to steer the bank toward regional impact.
The RMDB’s operationalization is expected to catalyze trade, enhance connectivity, and unlock funding for maritime infrastructure, positioning Nigeria as a key hub in Africa’s maritime sector. This milestone underscores Tinubu’s commitment to delivering on long-standing regional commitments, fostering economic growth, and strengthening Nigeria’s role in West and Central African maritime development.
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