NIMENA National Chairman Celebrates Former Chairman Engr. Henry Onuigbe on Prestigious NSE Fellowship Conferment

The National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA), Engr. Dr. Eferebo I. Sylvanus, has extended heartfelt congratulations to the institution’s Former National Chairman, Engr. Henry Onuigbe, FNSE, on his conferment as a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

The congratulatory message, shared alongside a photograph from the ceremony, described the honor as a well-deserved recognition of Engr. Onuigbe’s visionary leadership and immense contributions to the engineering profession. “I was truly honored to attend the NSE ceremony and witness this well-deserved moment. Your visionary leadership and sacrifice remain the foundation and guiding light for all of us at NIMENA,” the Chairman stated.

Engr. Onuigbe’s conferment took place during a recent NSE fellowship ceremony. His elevation to the prestigious fellowship cadre recognizes his longstanding dedication to engineering excellence in Nigeria, particularly within the maritime and naval architecture sectors. As a former leader of NIMENA, Engr. Onuigbe has been instrumental in advocating for critical industry issues, including the need for robust maritime security architecture and addressing the challenges of outdated maritime assets and limited access to capital for shipowners.

His leadership legacy continues to resonate through NIMENA’s current strategic initiatives, which are actively shaping the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector. Under the current leadership of Engr. Dr. Eferebo Sylvanus, NIMENA has recently achieved several significant milestones:

· Establishment of Peer-Reviewed Journals: NIMENA has announced the creation of two academic journals, the African Journal of Offshore, Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture (AJOMENA) and the Journal of the Blue Economy & Sustainable Energy Development. These platforms are designed to strengthen indigenous research, innovation, and policy development within Africa’s maritime sector.

· Advocacy for the Blue Economy: The institution has been at the forefront of calls for increased investment in local technical capacity to unlock Nigeria’s vast blue economy. NIMENA has advocated for the adoption of the “Triple Helix” model—integrating government, industry, and academia—and the establishment of homegrown marine standards to achieve technical sovereignty.

· Global Showcase in Singapore: NIMENA has taken Nigerian innovation to the global stage through its “Innovation Night” held during the Singapore Maritime Week. The event connected local maritime and energy startups with international investors and facilitated strategic partnerships, aligning with the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda.

Engr. Onuigbe’s NSE Fellowship serves as a testament to the caliber of leadership that has guided NIMENA. The current National Chairman’s tribute underscores the profound impact of his mentorship, noting, “Keep shining, Boss!” as the institution continues to build on the solid foundation he helped establish.