President Bola Tinubu has made a new appointment.
According to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, President Tinubu has appointed Mr. Adeniran Aderogba as the pioneer President and Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Maritime Development Bank (RMDB).
This comes as the bank finally commences operations after a 16-year delay.
In a statement released by his Media and Communications Adviser, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Oyetola disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved Nigeria’s hosting of the long-awaited financial institution, ending years of stagnation since member states of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) first endorsed its creation in 2009.
Describing the development as historic, Oyetola stated, “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 Tinubu.”
“His approval not only breaks a longstanding deadlock but also reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to regional integration, maritime development, and economic cooperation.”
The Regional Maritime Development Bank is expected to provide long-term funding solutions for essential projects such as port infrastructure, fleet acquisition, shipping logistics, and intermodal transport systems.
The Minister noted that the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises infrastructure, economic growth, and regional partnerships.
Aderogba, who brings over 30 years of experience in maritime administration, finance, and investment, was described as a fitting choice to lead the bank from concept to execution.
He previously served as Executive Director of Finance and Administration at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and later became its Acting Director General.
His career also includes key leadership roles in the banking sector at First Atlantic Bank Plc and MBC International Bank Ltd, where he oversaw investment banking and structured trade finance. Aderogba is the founder of CLG Securities Limited and has led over $5 billion in transactions across different sectors, including internationally recognised deals.
Aderogba’s early career began with KPMG, providing him with a solid background in auditing and financial consulting.
He has played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s financial landscape, contributing to the introduction of the Nigerian Inter-Bank Offered Rate (NIBOR) and the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Fixing (NiFEX).
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a University of Lagos graduate, Aderogba currently sits on the advisory board of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.
According to Oyetola, the operationalisation of the RMDB and Aderogba’s appointment are expected to drive maritime sector growth, enhance trade, and unlock much-needed funding for critical infrastructure within the region.
