Tinubu appoints Aderogba to lead new Maritime bank

The Federal Government has appointed Mr Adeniran Aderogba as the pioneer President and Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Maritime Development Bank (RMDB).

The announcement was made by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who confirmed that President Bola Tinubu had also approved Nigeria as the host nation for the long-awaited financial institution.

This development signifies the official launch of a project that had been stalled since 2009, when member states of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) first agreed on the establishment of the bank.

Speaking on the significance of the move, Oyetola described it as a landmark achievement for Nigeria and the entire West and Central African region. He said, “After 16 years of waiting, the Regional Maritime Development Bank is finally taking off, thanks to the decisive leadership of President Tinubu. His approval not only breaks a longstanding deadlock but also reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to regional integration, maritime development, and economic cooperation.”

Aderogba, according to the minister, comes into the role with 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,” Oyetola added.

Aderogba has had an extensive career in both the public and private sectors. He previously served as Executive Director of Finance and Administration at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and later became the Acting Director-General of the agency. In the financial sector, he held senior management roles at First Atlantic Bank Plc and MBC International Bank Ltd, where he handled investment banking and structured trade finance.

He is also the founder of CLG Securities Limited, a financial advisory and investment services company, and has successfully overseen transactions valued at over $5 billion across various sectors, including deals recognised globally. His professional journey began at KPMG, where he acquired valuable expertise in auditing and financial consulting.

Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications, Dr Bolaji Akinola, noted that the Regional Maritime Development Bank is envisioned as a specialised financial institution to offer long-term funding solutions for key projects such as port infrastructure, fleet acquisition, shipping logistics, and intermodal transport systems. The establishment of the bank, he said, is in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises infrastructure growth, economic inclusion, and regional collaboration.