Pics, From Left, Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr Dayo Mobereola, Justice Emmanuel Agim of Supreme Court,. Justice Williams Dawodu of Court of Appeal and Justice Olayinka Faji, Lagos Judicial Division, during the 4th Nigeria Admiralty Law Colloquium, organised by NIMASA in Lagos, on Wednesday
Lagos, Nov. 5, 2025, The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Wednesday, said that a strengthened legal framework will enhance the growth and sustenance of the nation’s blue economy.
Kekere-Ekun said this at the fourth Nigerian Admiralty Colloquium organised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS).
The event which had the theme “Charting the Course for Nigeria’s Blue Economy”, was held at the Legend Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.
It brought together judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and the Federal High Court, as well as Maritime Administrators, and industry experts.
The CJ who was represented by Justice Emmanuel Agim, said that the judiciary occupies a critical role in ensuring that the legal foundation of the blue economy is rooted in the rule of law.
She underscored the need for an efficient justice system, which she said is important to boost investor’s confidence in the maritime industry.
Besides, the CJ described the maritime sector as vital to Nigeria’s economic diversification drive, and urged continuous capacity building among judicial officers to address the complexities of admiralty law.
According to her, major challenges confronting Nigeria’s maritime domain includes illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing, oil theft, pipeline vandalism, among others.
She said that these issues can be addressed by a collaboration among stakeholders, to build a sustainable and efficient blue economy.
“Commerce thrives where the rule of law is strong, where disputes are resolved efficiently, and where judicial interpretation provides clarity and predictability,” she said.
In his remarks, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the blue economy through reforms anchored on the rule of law, which are in line with global best practices.
He said that NIMASA had undertaken initiatives such as a review of existing regulatory frameworks, ratification and domestication of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) among others.
Mobereola noted that a strong legal foundation is vital to unlocking Nigeria’s maritime potential, adding that the rule of law must serve as the “compass guiding the nation’s maritime vision”.
The NIMASA boss said that Nigeria’s Blue Economy Agenda, evidenced by the creation of a Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy with the mandate to institutionalised blue economy as an essential pillar for economic diversification.
Mobereola explained that the sector encompasses a holistic vision for leveraging the nation’s marine resources to drive socio-economic growth, strengthen regulatory frameworks, develop human resources, and ensure safety, security, and environmental sustainability.
He maintained that the agency was working tirelessly in securing and advancing Nigeria’s blue economy by continuously developing strategies, approaches, and mechanisms that balance economic and sectoral growth.
Mobereola said to achieve more success in Nigeria’s blue economy adding that ‘all hands should be on deck’ approach, with the Judiciary as a crucial actor, where interpretation of legal instruments and case decisions remains a vital tool for the sustainable development of Nigeria’s blue economy.
He highlighted that the agency had introduced initiatives to boost the sector, including reviewing and updating existing regulatory frameworks in alignment with global best practices.
Mobereola said that other initiative were ratification and domestication of key International Maritime Organisation and International Labour Organisation Conventions and Protocols, enhancement of maritime safety and security through the Deep Blue project, which secures our waters.
He urged participants at the event to immerse themselves in the discussions and proffer strategies to chart the course for Nigeria’s blue economy.
On his part, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, represented by Justice Ayokunle Faji, spoke on the court’s jurisdiction over admiralty matters, describing the blue economy as Nigeria’s next frontier for economic growth.
Tsoho called for precision in the interpretation of maritime laws, to align with international protocols, adding that effective dispute resolution channels were essential for attracting foreign direct investment.
“Investors need confidence that their assets and contracts are protected by a predictable and sophisticated legal system.
” The rule of law remains the compass for Nigeria’s maritime success,” he said.
In his contribution, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Babatunde Adejumo, described admiralty law as a complex and specialised field which required continuous training and expertise.
Adejumo, who was represented by the Secretary to the institute, Mr Abdulazeez Olumo, said that maritime disputes often involved charter parties, bills of lading, marine insurance, and cross-border claims.
He noted that these areas required a high-level of judicial competence and understanding of international frameworks.
He commended NIMASA and NIALS for providing such platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange, which he said promotes consistency in judicial reasoning.
A group picture of the colloquium, themed “Charting the Course for Nigeria’s Blue Economy,” brought together Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and Federal High Court, alongside maritime administrators, legal scholars, and industry experts, organised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIAL)
