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By Daniel Adaji
President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Regional Maritime Development Bank (RMDB) and appointed Mr. Adeniran Aderogba as its first President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday, describing the development as a historic breakthrough after 16 years of delay.
“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, thanks to the decisive leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Oyetola said.
The RMDB was first approved in 2009 by member states of the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) but had been stalled until now.
Oyetola noted that the bank will serve as a financial institution dedicated to supporting port infrastructure, fleet acquisition, shipping logistics, and intermodal transport systems.
He added that the RMDB aligns with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes infrastructure growth and regional partnerships.
Aderogba, who takes the helm of the new bank, brings over 30 years of experience in maritime administration, finance, and investment.
“His appointment is a bold and competent choice that will steer the bank from conception to impact,” the Minister noted.
Aderogba’s professional record includes his tenure as Executive Director, Finance and Administration at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), where he later served as Acting Director General.
In the banking sector, he held senior roles at First Atlantic Bank Plc and MBC International Bank Ltd, overseeing investment banking and trade finance.
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Aderogba is a University of Lagos graduate and serves on the advisory board of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.
“The appointment of Mr. Aderogba and the operationalization of the RMDB will catalyze development, boost trade, and unlock funding for critical maritime infrastructure,” Oyetola said .
“This achievement is yet another testament to President Tinubu’s unwavering resolve to deliver on long-standing commitments and drive transformative change across the region,”.he added.
The Ministry confirmed that Mr. Aderogba’s appointment has been formally communicated through the office of the Director of Maritime Safety and Security, Mr. Babatunde Bombata.