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Nigeria seeks to expand its revenue base through  exploitation of Deep Seabed resources

Funso OLOJO
Worried by the crippling economic crunch due to the restricted income base, the Federal government has given ministry Of Marine and Blue Economy a matching order to activate the mechanism that will enable the country to tap into its vast deep Seabed resources for enhanced economic activities.
As a result, the ministry, in collaboration with the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has convened a two- day  workshop to sensitise relevant stakeholders on the need to explore and exploit resources in Deep Seabed.
The stakeholders’ sensitization workshop, held in Abuja between September 18th- 19th, 2024, was part of government efforts to diversify the economy.
Speaking at the workshop,the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola emphasized that Nigeria’s extensive coastline and inland waterways make it an ideal player in the emerging deep-sea exploration sector.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Oloruntola Olufemi, Oyetola added that the transition from a fossil fuel-based to a mineral-based economy also presents opportunities for Nigeria to leverage its marine resources, particularly wave and tide energy, to generate clean energy.
He noted that effective utilization of these resources will substantially contribute to Nigeria’s energy needs.
He said, “Nigeria’s establishment of a full-fledged Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in 2023 demonstrates our commitment to diversifying our economy and capitalizing on the global surge in deep-sea exploration. As a major oil-producing country with an extensive coastline and inland waterways, we cannot afford to lag in this new frontier.
“This workshop aims to raise awareness among critical stakeholders about the importance of Deep Seabed exploration and exploitation, addressing environmental and social implications and  ensuring effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects that may arise from deep seabed activities.”
Also speaking, Director, Maritime Safety and Security Bombata Babatunde, said the Ministry and NIMASA remains committed to promoting collaborative efforts with key industry players, driving innovation, and championing sustainability.
“As we convene here today, we acknowledge the relatively uncharted terrain of deep seabed activities. The workshop aims to illuminate the opportunities and importance of exploring Africa’s continental shelf while ensuring responsible environmental management and adherence to regulatory frameworks, “he said.
In his presentation, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola stated that
Deep seabed exploration and mining offer a unique opportunity for Nigeria to expand its maritime resources, align with the global shift towards sustainable development, and promote economic growth.
According to him, deep sebed mining would unlock new revenue streams, thereby contributing  significantly to Nigeria’s GDP, and creating thousands of jobs.
He said, “Exploring Deep Seabed Mining holds the key to new revenue streams/economic benefits as you gain access to unexploited mineral resources. It is estimated that global demands for some of such minerals will rise as much as 400-600% in the coming decades as the world increases its reliance on wind and solar power, electric vehicle batteries and other zero-carbon technologies.
“Reduced Carbon Print – Decarbonization
Technological innovation arising from the development of specialized equipment and techniques.
“Job creation: Employment opportunities in exploration, extraction and processing.
Economic diversification.
Sustainable resource management.
Ocean based renewable energy integration.
Research and Development.
Eco – tourism and conservation.
Reduced reliance on land based mining which will decrease environmental impact on land.
The DG noted that while deep seabed mining offers significant economic opportunities, it is not without challenges especially as its concerns potential environmental impact and inadequate Regulatory framework.
For Nigeria to fully maximize and benefit from it’s deep seabed  mining activities, the NIMASA boss advocated for a robust legislation for seabed mining, stakeholders engagement and thorough environment impact assessments to minimize potential damage to ecosystems
“NIMASA will play a critical role by collaborating with relevant MDAs and the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in providing the regulatory framework and establishing environmental protection guidelines for seabed mining.
“The Agency could also help develop training programs to grow local expertise in deep seabed mining technologies and operations. Promote Research and Development in marine science and technology to enhance knowledge of deep-sea ecosystems and resource potential.
“We remain committed to ensuring that relevant legislative frameworks on the sustainable use of the Marine Environment and Safety standards are fully implemented.
“It is also crucial that the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007 is amended to reflect relevant provisions of ISA’s model of legislation on exploration and exploitation.
“Nigeria has long benefited from its offshore oil and gas resources.
“As we look to the future, deep sea mining presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria to diversify its economy and secure long-term economic growth. It is an integral part of the Blue Economy, promising technological advancement, resource security, and job creation. However, this potential can only be realized if we proactively address the associated environmental, technical, and regulatory challenges, ” he said.
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Analyses

The invisible toll gates:Why National Single Window is Nigeria’s ultimate economic battleground

Monday Discourse with  Ibrahim Nasiru
Walk into any market in Nigeria today, from the commercial hubs of Lagos to the roadside stalls in Yola, and ask why a bag of rice or an imported spare part costs three times what it did last year.
The typical public commentator will blame global inflation, floating currencies, or macro-economic shocks.
But those who understand logistics know the real truth lies buried under layers of paper, manual stamps, and artificial delays at our seaports.
Nigeria’s international trade is suffocating not from a lack of deep water, but from a deliberate design of convenience.
The recent operational rollout of the National Single Window (NSW) has triggered behind-the-scenes panic among Port cartels, and for good reason.
For decades, keeping our clearing processes fragmented, manual, and dependent on desk-to-desk human interaction was the perfect business model for syndicates.
When cargo dwell times drag on for 21 days, those delays are money in the pockets of the gatekeepers and a death sentence for local businesses.
Let us look at the raw field realities. The push by the Nigeria Customs Service to aggressively crash clearance times down to global 48-hour standards is meeting fierce internal resistance.
Why? Because a unified digital ecosystem means you cannot easily manipulate documentation, hide illicit cargo, or demand “mobilization fees” before signing off a container.
The outcry and protests from certain freight-forwarding syndicates aren’t about technical glitches; they are about the sudden closure of invisible toll gates.
This is exactly why governance at our national gateways can no longer be left to the mercy of transactional bureaucratic habits.
Building deep-sea infrastructure like Lekki Port is a massive physical achievement, but concrete and cranes are useless if the administrative processes at the gate remain backward.
 Real structural reform requires turning our Ports into automated, friction-free pipelines that prioritize production over rent-seeking.
If Nigeria wants to survive this fiscal squeeze, the National Single Window cannot just be treated as another glossy IT project launched in Abuja.
 It requires unyielding administrative enforcement to completely dismantle the corrupt cartels managing the manual desk chains.
The invisible toll gates at our Ports must be completely demolished, and that exact same structural discipline must be scaled across our border stations and trade corridors.
The era of managing international trade with 20th-century paper trails is dying. The future belongs to the builders of automated, transparent systems.
Chief Ibrahim Nasiru, a public affairs analyst,  writes from Abuja 
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Headlines

NANTA Exco embarks on seven-day Ghana retreat, fam trip to deepen regional tourism partnership

Gloria Odion, Reporter

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has commenced a seven-day executive retreat and familiarisation (fam) trip to Ghana, hosted by Safari World, as part of efforts to strengthen regional tourism partnerships and expand cross-border travel opportunities.

The NANTA delegation was received at Safari World Homes in Accra by the Chairman of the Safari World Group, Mr. Ernest Gyekye, who expressed delight at hosting the Nigerian travel trade leaders.

He assured the delegation of a memorable experience throughout their week-long stay.

Speaking on the significance of the visit, NANTA President, Mr. Yinka Folami, described the retreat and familiarisation tour as a strategic initiative aimed at fostering stronger business relationships and promoting collaborative tourism development across Africa.

“This mission is not a leisure trip,” Folami said. “It is a deliberate step to implement and expand our association’s marketing advocacy for Nigerian brands across borders.”

He noted that Nigeria and Ghana share deep historical, cultural and commercial ties that should be leveraged to drive tourism growth on the continent.

“Nigeria and Ghana share history, culture, trade and people. The future of our tourism cannot be built in silos,” he said.

“This retreat is about moving from policy to practice—creating real products, real partnerships and real movement of travellers between Accra and Lagos.”

As part of the programme, the NANTA executives will engage in strategic business-to-business (B2B) meetings with their Ghanaian counterparts, tour key tourism destinations under the Safari World brand, and participate in cultural exchange activities designed to promote stronger bilateral tourism cooperation.

The itinerary spans Safari World’s three flagship destinations, including Safari Homes in Accra, the Aqua Safari riverfront experience, Safari Island Cruise, Safari Nautica, and Safari Recreation and Sports facilities in Ada, as well as the Safari Valley Eco Resort and Safari Eco Park in Dawu.

Operating under the brand promise, “One World, Three Destinations, Over 20 Unique Experiences,” Safari World is leveraging the visit to strengthen its footprint in the Nigerian travel market while positioning Ghana as a premier destination for leisure tourism, conferences, group travel, family holidays and premium tourism experiences.

A major highlight of the visit will be the Executive Dinner scheduled for July 21 at the Safari Valley Eco Resort, where key stakeholders from Nigeria and Ghana’s tourism industries will deliberate on strategies for deepening travel trade and advancing regional tourism development.

The familiarisation tour is expected to provide NANTA’s leadership with first-hand knowledge of Safari World’s tourism offerings, paving the way for the development of attractive travel packages and stronger business partnerships that will benefit Nigerian travellers and the wider West African tourism industry.

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Customs

Ogun Customs spurns claims of Smugglers’ takeover of Idiroko–Sango Ota trading Route

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed as false reports alleging that smugglers had taken over the Idiroko–Sango Ota trading route in Ogun State, describing the claims as a deliberate misrepresentation of a traffic incident.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs (SC) Chado, the Command clarified that the traffic gridlock on the route resulted from the breakdown of an articulated commercial trailer after it fell into a badly deteriorated section of Atan Road, temporarily obstructing the free flow of traffic.
According to the Command, the vehicles caught in the ensuing congestion were legitimate commercial trucks transporting red palm oil to various local markets and had no connection whatsoever with smuggling activities.
It explained that the large number of heavy-duty trucks trapped in the gridlock may have led some members of the public to wrongly conclude that smugglers had taken over the road.
“The reports that smugglers blocked the road are inaccurate. The disruption resulted from a road accident and poor road conditions. The vehicles involved were lawful commercial vehicles transporting red palm oil for legitimate trade,” Chado stated.
The Command urged journalists, social media users and the general public to verify information before disseminating reports capable of creating unnecessary panic or undermining public confidence in security agencies.
Observers within the border trade sector noted that the allegation does not reflect the prevailing security situation within the Ogun I Area Command, where anti-smuggling operations have been intensified under the leadership of the Acting Customs Area Controller, Comptroller O.O. Afeni.
Since assuming office, Comptroller Afeni has strengthened intelligence-driven surveillance, enhanced collaboration with other security agencies and host communities, and sustained pressure on economic saboteurs operating along the Ogun border corridors.
These measures, according to stakeholders, have resulted in significant seizures of prohibited goods and reinforced the Command’s resolve to safeguard Nigeria’s economy and territorial integrity.
Maritime and border trade stakeholders also cautioned against the spread of unverified information capable of undermining the efforts of security personnel or creating a false impression of lawlessness in border communities.
They stressed that while combating smuggling remains an ongoing responsibility, responsible and accurate reporting is equally critical to ensuring that operational achievements are not overshadowed by misinformation.
The Ogun I Area Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining its anti-smuggling campaign while facilitating legitimate cross-border trade in line with the statutory mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.

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