May 23, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu has approved the official takeoff of the Regional Maritime Development Bank (RMDB) and named Adeniran Aderogba, as its pioneer President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Conceptualised in 2009 by member states of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), the bank will support maritime infrastructure and logistics across West and Central Africa. RMDB is envisioned as a dedicated financial institution that will provide long-term funding solutions for port infrastructure, fleet acquisition, shipping logistics, and intermodal transport systems.
“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.
“His approval not only breaks a longstanding deadlock but also reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to regional integration, maritime development, and economic cooperation”, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said.
The Minister said Mr Aderogba brings over 30 years of strategic experience in maritime administration, finance, and investment.
“His appointment is a bold and competent choice that will steer the bank from conception to impact”, he said.
Mr Aderogba’s extensive career spans the public and private sectors. He previously served as Executive Director, Finance and Administration at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and was later appointed Acting Director General of the agency.
In the financial sector, he held senior leadership roles at First Atlantic Bank Plc and MBC International Bank Ltd, where he oversaw investment banking and structured trade finance. He is also the founder of CLG Securities Limited, a financial advisory and investment services firm.
Mr Aderogba began his career with KPMG, where he gained foundational experience in auditing and financial consulting.
A respected thought leader in financial markets, Mr Aderogba has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s financial infrastructure, helping to introduce critical instruments such as the Nigerian Inter-Bank Offered Rate (NIBOR) and the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Fixing (NiFEX).
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), a graduate of the University of Lagos, and currently serves on the advisory board of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.
“The appointment of Mr Aderogba and the operationalisation of the RMDB will catalyse development, boost trade, and unlock funding for critical maritime infrastructure. 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”, the Minister said.
“With Nigeria as the host nation and a seasoned professional at the helm, the Regional Maritime Development Bank is now poised to become a powerful engine for regional growth, connectivity, and prosperity”, he stated, adding that Aderogba’s appointment has been duly communicated to him through the office of the Director, Maritime Safety and Security, Babatunde Bombata.
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