L-R: Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr Pius Akutah; Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka; Chairman of NSC Governing Board, Dr Ibrahim Shehu Shema; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs Fatima Mahmood; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and other dignitaries at the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the National Judicial Institute in Abuja, on Wednesday
Oyetola urges judiciary to prepare for autonomous ships, digital shipping disputes
Lagos, July 22, 2026, The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, has urged judges to prepare for disputes arising from autonomous ships, digital shipping and cleaner maritime transport.
He said evolving maritime technology was creating new legal questions around liability, navigational responsibility, insurance, collision rules and responsibility allocation when autonomous vessels or systems fail.
Oyetola spoke Wednesday at the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges in Abuja, organised by Nigerian Shippers’ Council and National Judicial Institute, on digitalisation transforming global commerce.
He noted electronic bills of lading, blockchain cargo documentation and digital freight contracts were creating fresh evidentiary, contractual and jurisdictional issues for Nigerian courts to address.
“The prospect of vessels with limited or no human crews raises fundamental questions on liability, insurance and collision regulations when technology fails,” Oyetola stated at the event.
He added that maritime decarbonisation would generate complex disputes over environmental liability, pollution damage, enforcement and compliance, requiring sound legal reasoning and awareness of international jurisprudence.
Oyetola said strengthening prompt resolution of shipping disputes through litigation and arbitration would position Nigeria as Africa’s premier maritime hub and boost investor confidence in the sector.
“Every maritime judgment sends a message to investors, shipowners, insurers and seafarers worldwide,” he said, adding predictable judiciary lowers costs and enhances commercial confidence.
The Minister pledged government support for specialised maritime divisions in the Federal High Court, alignment with international conventions and promotion of robust maritime arbitration mechanisms nationwide.
He reiterated that an internationally informed judiciary reduces transaction costs and encourages parties to choose Nigerian courts and arbitration centres for resolving maritime disputes.
Oyetola announced a £746 million UK financing agreement to modernise Apapa and Tin Can ports, plus Cabotage Fund disbursement to create about 30,000 jobs for shipowners.
He said Nigeria recorded four piracy-free years via Deep Blue Project, while maritime agencies generated over ₦1.8 trillion in 2025 and fish output rose to 1.4 million tonnes.
L-R: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume (left) and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, at the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the National Judicial Institute in Abuja, on Wednesday
The Minister warned that expansion in offshore renewable energy, aquaculture and coastal tourism would create more disputes requiring courts with courage, wisdom and maritime legal expertise.
SGF Senator George Akume, and CJN Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, stressed speedy admiralty justice, inter-agency collaboration and cross-border cooperation to sustain trade, investment and Nigeria’s competitiveness as regional hub.
The three-day seminar, attended by regional Chief Justices and maritime stakeholders, runs from July 22 to July 24, 2026, in Abuja.
L-R: Chairman of the Governing Board of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr Ibrahim Shehu Shema; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs Fatima Mahmood; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, at the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the National Judicial Institute in Abuja, on Wednesday