Maritime experts urge Nigeria to address piracy, illegal activities to unlock $2.5tn ocean economy

Maritime stakeholders have called on the Nigerian government to tackle critical security challenges, such as piracy, illegal fishing, interstate disputes, and transnational crime, to fully harness the potential of the $2.5 trillion ocean economy. They also highlighted the need to address the smuggling of arms, narcotics, and other multifaceted threats to maritime security.

These concerns were raised during the 2024 International Maritime Organisation (IMO) World Maritime Day event held in Lagos. The guest speaker, Prof. Larry Awosika, Chairman of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, emphasized that safe, secure, energy-efficient, and low-carbon maritime transport is essential for the sustainable exploitation of marine resources.

“Unsustainable maritime practices, including security issues and environmental degradation, pose significant threats to marine-based industries,” Awosika said. He explained that a thriving blue economy—which includes sectors like fishing, resource extraction, marine transportation, ecosystem health, and tourism—can only flourish on a foundation of strong maritime security.

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Awosika also warned that the lack of investment in securing the maritime sector could jeopardize potential gains from marine exploration and tourism, affecting both national and global economies. He urged the Federal Government to prioritize maritime safety through investments in infrastructure, science, data, and technology.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, echoed these concerns, stressing the need to tackle safety and security issues, particularly in light of new technologies and alternative fuels aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships. Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oloruntola, Oyetola reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to aligning its regulatory framework with IMO standards to maintain high levels of maritime safety.

“To ensure both shipping safety and operational efficiency, the government must invest in upgrading facilities and building capacity to keep Nigeria competitive in global seaborne trade,” Oyetola said. He added that achieving world-class standards requires ongoing support from the private sector, whose collaboration is vital in providing the resources and state-of-the-art facilities needed to elevate Nigeria’s maritime industry.

Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative to the IMO, Bwala Williams, also emphasized the importance of the IMO’s focus on enhancing maritime safety and security, particularly as the world marks the 50th anniversary of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.

The discussions at the event underscored the crucial role maritime security plays in the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s blue economy, urging the government and private sector to work together in addressing the sector’s security challenges.