The Federal Government of Nigeria has appointed Mr. Adeniran Aderogba as the inaugural Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Maritime Development Bank (RMDB), marking a strategic milestone in the advancement of maritime financing in West and Central Africa.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, following the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Nigeria to host the regional bank. The RMDB, conceived in 2009 by member states of the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), is designed to provide long-term financial support for maritime infrastructure and trade facilitation within the region.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Oyetola described Aderogba’s appointment as a crucial step towards unlocking maritime growth, improving intermodal transport networks, and facilitating access to capital for port development, fleet expansion, and shipping logistics.
“This administration is committed to infrastructure-led economic development, and the RMDB will play a vital role in financing key maritime projects across the sub-region,” the Minister said.
Mr. Aderogba comes into the role with over 30 years of professional experience in maritime administration, finance, and investment. He previously served as the Executive Director of Finance and Administration at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), where he also acted as the Director General. A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a graduate of the University of Lagos, Aderogba also has extensive private sector experience, having led investment banking operations and structured trade finance deals in the banking sector.
His financial and strategic acumen is expected to drive the RMDB’s mission of supporting maritime development and regional integration through tailored financial services. The bank is also projected to enhance Nigeria’s leadership in regional maritime affairs while boosting job creation and infrastructure development in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The appointment signals Nigeria’s readiness to not only host the RMDB but to steer its operations for the benefit of the entire West and Central African sub-region.
