Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, President of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN), Chief Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN and other stakeholders in the maritime sector of the economy have called for the establishment of what they called “a dedicated Coastal Resilience Fund” to finance coastal protection, infrastructure development and community empowerment in the country.
Their call is coming on the heels of growing concerns over poor living conditions and inadequate social amenities in Nigeria’s coastal communities.
They made the call at the 4th Ehingbeti Maritime Hub Summit in Lagos recently where they enjoined Nigeria to explore international funding support from climate funds and multilateral organisations to scale development across coastal communities.
Delivering her keynote address at the summit, Anishere averred that Nigeria’s blue economy could only deliver sustainable prosperity if supported by effective governance, stressing that the country must create the legal and institutional conditions required for innovation, investment and sustainable exploitation of marine resources.
The learned silk emphasized that the regulatory system must provide certainty, security and flexibility for investors while remaining environmentally responsible and inclusive of coastal populations.
The MAAN President averred that the future of Nigeria’s blue economy must be anchored on three pillars namely, security, sustainability and governance.
She enjoined stakeholders to implement waste-management infrastructure and sustainability initiatives that directly benefit local communities.
She further called for a greater public education on recycling, sustainable fishing practices and environmental stewardship, as well as stronger private-sector participation in coastal development.
According to Anishere, sustained investment in coastal resilience would strengthen infrastructure, protect livelihoods and create the conditions for communities to participate meaningfully in the emerging blue economy.
Sanwo-Olu who was represented at the summit by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila stated that although Ehingbeti’s history is closely associated with Lagos Island, no part of the state would be left behind in the government’s plans to develop the blue economy.
Sanwo-Olu maintained that the state remained committed to an inclusive approach that brings stakeholders together to maximize the opportunities presented by Lagos’ waterways.
He encouraged participants to collaborate at the summit and produce a communique capable of advancing the blue economy agenda of Lagos State.
The convener of the summit, Hon. Olaitan Violet Williams in her remarks said the Ehingbeti Maritime Hub was established in 2023 to trace the historical roots of maritime activities in Lagos.
The convener of the summit, Hon. Olaitan Violet Williams in her remarks said the Ehingbeti Maritime Hub was established in 2023 to trace the historical roots of maritime activities in Lagos.
She noted that Ehingbeti represented an important chapter in the evolution of Lagos from its early trading history to modern-day Eko.
According to Williams, her research into the history of Lagos revealed the strong connection between the city’s traditional institutions and maritime commerce, including the collection of Wharf Landing Fees.
She said the advocacy for a dedicated maritime ministry had also yielded results with the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, which, she noted, provides an opportunity for Nigeria to diversify beyond oil.
While describing inland waterways as one of the low-hanging fruits of the blue economy, she stressed that maritime development begins with effective utilization of inland waterways before extending into the wider ocean economy.
According to her, stronger legal protection for investors and greater attention to coastal communities were necessary to unlock investment in the sector. The estimated 10,000 kilometers of waterways in Nigeria could not deliver their full potentials if they remained largely unnavigable.
The Chairman of the occasion Alhaji Mukhtar Shehu Shagari in his opening remarks commended Williams for her passion and commitment to the development of the marine and blue economy.
Shagari who is also the Chairman of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Governing Board stated that consideration for coastal communities was critical to ensuring sustainable implementation of blue economy policies.
Represented by a member of NIWA Governing Board, Captain Tajudeen Alao, Shagari argued that an appropriate legal framework for developing Nigeria’s littoral states, coupled with deliberate attention to coastal populations, would strengthen the country’s ability to translate blue economy policies into sustainable development outcomes.
On his part, the Flag Officer Commanding, (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha who was represented by Rear Admiral NC Okon said “sea blindness” had hindered Nigeria from fully harnessing the potentials of its maritime domain.
According to the Naval Chief, collaboration among stakeholders was essential because a thriving blue economy could not exist amid insecurity, environmental degradation, illicit activities and regulatory uncertainty.
He called for stronger regulation, effective enforcement of existing maritime laws and continuous review of legislation to address emerging security and economic challenges just as he assured that the Nigerian Navy remained committed to providing the secure maritime environment required for commerce, investment and sustainable exploitation of Nigeria’s maritime resources.
The FOC stated that maritime security was a collective responsibility requiring government agencies, coastal communities and development partners to work together to protect the marine environment.
Chairman of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Ekeoma Ezeibe, tipped insurance as critical to protecting the investments and infrastructure required to develop Nigeria’s maritime hub and wider blue economy.
She argued that maritime assets and businesses must be adequately insured to provide assurance against the multiple risks associated with the sector.
According to her, the new insurance legislation had strengthened protection for practitioners and expanded opportunities within the insurance industry. The recapitalization of insurance companies and the presence of strong reinsurance capacity had created a more supportive environment for insurance to contribute to the development of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
Among other things, the summit also featured the official launch of the 28 Inland Waterways Investment Jigsaw, an investment-focused initiative designed to highlight and unlock viable opportunities across Nigeria’s inland waterways and provide a structured pathway for private-sector participation in the development of the sector.
Traditional rulers and eminent maritime personalities among other stakeholders, graced the occasion. These include Lagos Area Manager, NIWA, Engr. Sarah Braimah; and the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Blue Economy, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel.
Others are the President of Women in Maritime Organizations of West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA), Mrs. Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore; and the President of Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA) Nigerian Chapter, Mrs. Theodora Nwaeze.
