NIMASA Seeks Stronger Judicial Role in Driving Nigeria’s Blue Economy
Kathy Kyari
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has called for deeper collaboration with the judiciary to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s Blue Economy, describing the courts as a “major partner” in shaping the nation’s maritime future.
Speaking at the 4th Edition of the Admiralty Law Colloquium held in Lagos, themed “Charting the Course of Nigeria’s Blue Economy,” the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, emphasized that sustainable growth in the maritime sector depends on effective legal interpretation and judicial engagement.
“Nigeria’s Blue Economy requires an all hands 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,” Mobereola said.
He underscored the judiciary’s role in interpreting maritime laws and ensuring fair adjudication, which he noted are essential for maintaining industry standards and attracting investment into the sector.
Delivering the keynote address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, who was represented by Justice Emmanuel Akomoye Agim, JSC, CFR, lauded NIMASA and the National Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) for their sustained partnership in hosting the colloquium.
“The task before us is to ensure that Nigeria’s Blue Economy does not remain a conceptual aspiration but becomes a tangible driver of growth, equity, and sustainability,” she said. “The Judiciary must not stand at the shoreline as a passive observer, but rather as an active navigator steering the ship of justice through the complex waters of maritime development.”
The event featured paper presentations by maritime law experts Dr. Emeka Akabogu, SAN, and Dr. Chukwuchefu Ukatta, both of whom stressed the need for synergy between judicial processes and maritime industry advancement.
A panel discussion chaired by the Director General of NIALS, Professor A. J. Abikan, and an interactive session with participants rounded off the colloquium.
Dignitaries in attendance included the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice M. B. Dongban-Mensem, represented by Hon. Justice E. O. Williams-Dawodu, and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Tsoho, represented by Hon. Justice A. Faji.
The Admiralty Law Colloquium, jointly organized by NIMASA and NIALS with support from the National Judicial Institute (NJI), serves as an annual platform to deepen understanding of maritime law, strengthen adjudication, and support the sustainable development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
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