Headlines

Deep Seabed Mining: Open vista to economic prosperity for Nigeria

Funso OLOJO

Since independence, the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy has been oil and gas.

The country has relied so much on oil that any slightest jolt in the industry will reverberate through the country’s economic arteries.

The reason is that Nigeria gets about 90 percent of its revenue from oil.

However, the country has neglected its other vast God-given resources buried beneath the ocean.

More than oil, which is fast losing international appeal due to the emerging alternative to oil, the country’s resources in the deep Seabed are a gold mine waiting to be explored and exploited.

Apart from the surface mining activities going on around the country but which were unfortunately not well harnessed, Nigeria, over the years, paid no attention to seabed mining activities which are even more lucrative than oil exploration.

According to the International Seabed Authority(ISA), an intergovernmental United Nations autonomous body charged with overseeing and regulating seabed mining activities, deep Seabed mining can only take place outside the limit of the nautical jurisdiction of a member state, that is, beyond the outer limit of the continental shelf.

With Nigeria’s 200 nautical continental shelf with the latest addition of 16,300 square kilometers granted by the United Nations Commission on the Limits of Continental Shelf (CLCS), Nigeria has the potential for a great economic boom if these opportunities are exploited.

Good enough, the country is among the 167 – member states of ISA which regulates Seabed mining in the area referred to as common heritage.

But sadly, since Nigeria joined the organisation at inception in November 1994, the country has not exploited the benefits of such membership.

The nonchalant attitude of the country was probably because of the fortunes it gets from oil.

Now that the oil revenue is dwindling, the Nigerian government has suddenly woken up to the realization that there is a new opportunity to grow the economy through the exploration and exploitation of the vast resources in the deep Seabed.

To demonstrate its desire to explore and exploit seabed resources, the federal government through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in conjunction with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) organized a two-day awareness workshop where it sensitized relevant stakeholders.

From September 18th and 19th 2024, in Abuja, the government rallied the support of relevant stakeholders who brainstormed on the benefits and challenges of seabed mining and how Nigeria could leverage the opportunity to grow its economy.

Stakeholders perspectives:

At the sensitization workshop, stakeholders, drawn from the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, NIMASA, who are the hosts, the Nigeria Navy, the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Nigeria Boundary Commission, environmentalists and the Academia.

The stakeholders were unanimous in their views that seabed mining is an energiser of the economy and encouraged the Nigerian govenment to take the opportunities it offers.

However, they lamented the long-term neglect of the sector by Nigeria.

Beyond the rhetorics of government representatives, other stakeholders reprimanded the government for its inaction in the International Seabed Authority(ISA) and by extension lack of interest in exploring the vast potential of seabed resources.

Dr Maureen Tamuno, the former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the ISA, was emotional about the dormant membership of Nigeria in ISA.

According to her, Nigeria has always been an onlooker at the different meetings of the ISA at its headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica.

” At the last ISA meeting in July 2024, Nigeria had the largest entourage among the member states to the event but the people didn’t participate in the proceedings because they didn’t understand the concept and objective of the meeting.

She wanted the Nigerian government to ensure that the country participates fully in the organization in order to enjoy the inherent opportunities.

Abba Nurudeen, the Director of Maritime Boundary at the Nigeria Boundary Commission revealed that Nigeria, though a member of ISA, is yet to get the ISA license that will qualify the country to partake in the exploration and exploitation of resources beneath the belly of the sea.

According to him, the country needs $500,000 as a licensing fee to secure the license and a processing fee of $50,000.

Without these, Nigeria will be a mere onlooker while other contractor countries and companies are busy harvesting the resources that are the common heritage.

Under the ISA laws, only licensed contractors can explore and exploit the deep Seabed resources.

Despite the massive coastal endowment of Nigeria spanning over 892 Km from Badagry to Bakassi, with a total shelf area of about 42,000 km2, including a territorial sea extending from the coastline to a breadth of 12 nautical miles, and the continental shelf extending to about 50 miles which make Nigeria one of the eight countries with a continental shelf that allows for the extension of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone from 200 miles to a further 150 miles, in addition to 4,000km of inland waterways, Nigeria cannot engage in deep seabed mining because if failed to get contract license for such purpose from ISA.

ISA has entered into 15-year contracts with 21 contractors for the exploration of polymetallic nodules, polymetallic sulphides and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts in the international seabed area (the Area).

The explored areas are in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, the Indian Ocean, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Pacific Ocean.For polymetallic nodules, the entitled exploration area allocated to each contractor is 75,000 square kilometres.

For polymetallic sulphides, the entitled exploration area allocated to each contractor is 10,000 square kilometres and consists of 100 blocks. Each block is no greater than 100 square kilometres.

For cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts, the entitled exploration area allocated to each contractor is 3,000 square kilometres and consists of 150 blocks. Each block is no greater than 20 square kilometres.

This is the opportunity Nigeria is missing by its failure to get the ISA license as a contract 30 years after it joined the UN body.

Both Dr. Tamuno and Mr Abba agreed that Nigeria should collaborate with relevant stakeholders and international bodies as well as pulling resources together to enable the country get ISA license.

According to them, achieving this milestone requires collaboration and advocacy, a position shared by Rear Admiral(rtd) Chukwuemeka Okafor, the immediate Hydrographer of the Nigerian Navy.

Benefits of ISA contract licence for Nigeria

The adoption of UNCLOS in 1982 was one of the greatest achievements of the United Nations. One of the Convention’s most important contributions is that it placed more than 50 percent of the seabed under international jurisdiction, beyond the reach of any single State.

If managed effectively, in accordance with the rule of law as set out in the Convention, deep sea mining has the potential to contribute to the economic recovery of Nigeria.

Challenges of Exploiting Deep-Seabed resources by Nigeria

Much as there are enormous benefits inherent in the exploration and exploitation of deep Seabed resources, Nigeria may be faced with an uphill task to maximize these undersea resources.

Apart from being capital intensive, the lack of focus and commitment steeped in tenacity of purpose by the government may hinder the process.

To achieve Nigeria’s quest for using seabed mining as a stimulant for economic recovery, there must be sincere collaboration, and mutual commitment between the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the lead ministry, NIMASA, the Designated Authority for Nigeria membership of ISA and the Ministry of Mines and Steel, including other relevant stakeholders.

Unfortunately, some stakeholders believed that the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, which is the country- designate for Nigeria’s membership of ISA, may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of responsibilities thrust on the young ministry.

The Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua (Rtd) believed that Nigeria may not see immediate results from the efforts of the federal government to leverage seabed mining through the ministry of Marine and Blue to grow the economy.

According to him, the young ministry is already overburdened with too many tasks and responsibilities within a short time of its creation.

” It will take time for the ministry to deliver, say 4 to 5 years from now.

” I am not a spokesman for the ministry but a lot of work has been heaped on the ministry with so short a time of its creation.

” People have to be patient because the results cannot come immediately” Commodore(rtd) claimed.

He also raised the issue of finance needed to fund the deep Seabed mining activity if Nigeria eventually forays into the sector.

” Nigeria has no required funds to exploit the resources in the seabed. We can only explore because exploiting the resources in the Seabed is very expensive” MAN Oron Rector disclosed.

However, stakeholders believed that if the government could muster the required political will, funding and international collaboration towards leveraging vast resources beneath the belly of the ocean, then Nigeria would be on its way towards economic rebirth.

Customs

MACI hails Customs’ anti-corruption framework, demands full implementation

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Media Anti-Corruption Initiative (MACI) has applauded the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for introducing a comprehensive anti-corruption framework aimed at identifying institutional vulnerabilities, strengthening internal controls and promoting integrity across the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The initiative, which MACI described as a significant milestone in the fight against corruption within the Service, is anchored on three key documents signed by the Customs chief: the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Internal Corruption Risk Analysis and Mapping (ICRAM), the ICRAM Handbook and the Integrity Action Plan (IAP).

In a statement jointly signed by MACI President, Funso Olojo, and Project Coordinator, Lod Onyeji, the organisation described the development as a “pivotal moment in the fight against corruption within the Nigeria Customs Service.”

Mr Olojo, who commended the initiative of the Customs, noted that the stance of the agency on corruption is in alignment with the aims and objectives of MACI which is an advocate for corruption- free society.

The signing ceremony, held on October 6th, 2026, at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja, also witnessed the inauguration of the ICRAM Steering Committee, which is responsible for identifying, assessing and mapping corruption risks across the Service’s operations.

According to the statement, the framework represents a proactive institutional approach to tackling corruption by identifying vulnerabilities in Customs processes and establishing measures to prevent abuse of office, improve accountability and strengthen public confidence in the Service.

The Comptroller-General, Adeniyi, disclosed that the framework was developed in collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and partner administrations, including His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of the United Kingdom.

He explained that the documents provide practical guidance for Customs officers operating at seaports, land borders and airports, equipping them with procedures and controls designed to promote integrity, transparency and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities.

MACI noted that the introduction of the framework followed a pilot programme conducted across seven Customs Commands and Units, covering 66 processes spanning regulatory activities, core Customs operations and support functions.

The exercise culminated in the development of a comprehensive Integrity Action Plan containing 101 action items and 295 sub-actions designed to address identified corruption risks and strengthen institutional safeguards.

Key measures outlined in the plan include increased automation and improved audit trails, stronger supervisory mechanisms, clearer accountability structures, effective segregation of duties, regular staff rotations and targeted training programmes.

The framework also seeks to strengthen controls governing interactions between Customs officers and stakeholders, an area considered critical to reducing opportunities for corrupt practices and improving compliance with established procedures.

MACI commended the Customs leadership for adopting a risk-based approach to corruption prevention, noting that identifying and addressing institutional weaknesses before they are exploited is essential to building a transparent and accountable public institution.

The organisation, however, stressed that the effectiveness of the initiative would ultimately depend on the consistent implementation of the prescribed measures across all commands and operational units of the Service.

It therefore urged Customs management, officers, stakeholders and relevant partner institutions to support the full implementation of the framework to ensure that the initiative delivers measurable improvements in institutional integrity.

MACI expressed confidence that effective implementation of the ICRAM framework and Integrity Action Plan would strengthen internal controls, reduce corruption risks, promote ethical conduct and enhance public trust in the Nigeria Customs Service.

The organisation emphasised that the new framework should not merely remain a collection of policy documents but should translate into tangible changes in operational practices, staff conduct and the overall culture of accountability within the Service.

Headlines

NIMASA flaunts automation process of Nigerian ship registry at 2- day webinar with stakeholders

Funso OLOJO Editor

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) will host a two-part stakeholder webinar on October 6 and 8, 2026, to showcase the ongoing automation of the Nigerian Ship Registry as part of efforts to modernise ship registration services and enhance the competitiveness of the Nigerian flag.

The webinars will provide shipowners, operators, maritime professionals, financial institutions, insurers and other stakeholders with insights into the new digital registration platform and its potential to significantly improve the speed, transparency and efficiency of ship registration and related services.

The automated system is designed to enable 24/7 access to registration services, streamline application and approval processes, and facilitate faster issuance of electronic certificates, thereby reducing administrative delays associated with conventional paper-based procedures.

A key feature of the platform is its capacity to provide secure, real-time tracking of ship mortgages and related registry transactions. This will strengthen transparency and provide greater visibility for stakeholders, including financial institutions and other parties involved in vessel financing.

The automation initiative is also expected to make interaction with the Nigerian Ship Registry more seamless for local and international shipowners, while improving the Agency’s ability to deliver efficient, responsive and globally competitive flag-state services.

Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the automation of the Ship Registry was part of the Agency’s broader commitment to transforming the Nigerian flag and creating an enabling environment for increased participation in the global shipping industry.

“The automation of the Nigerian Ship Registry represents a significant step in our commitment to providing efficient, transparent and globally competitive services to shipowners and other maritime stakeholders.

“Our objective is to make the Nigerian flag more accessible, responsive and attractive through technology-driven processes that meet international standards,” Mobereola declared.

The ongoing user-testing phase is focused on validating the platform’s functionality, security and user experience ahead of its official deployment.

NIMASA said the webinars would also provide an opportunity for stakeholders to understand the platform, experience its key features and provide feedback as the Agency moves towards full implementation.

The Agency is inviting shipowners, ship managers, maritime professionals, financial institutions, insurers, legal practitioners, classification societies and other interested stakeholders to participate in the webinars.

Headlines

NRC joins global community to celebrate customers’ loyalty

Funso OLOJO, Editor

For the first time in its 128 years of existence, the Nigerian Railway Corporation(NRC) joins the global community to commemorate 2026 Customer Service Week from October 5 to 9, with a renewed commitment to putting passengers at the centre of its operations.

The week, being celebrated under the theme, “The Extra Mile,” marks a significant milestone for the 128-year-old Corporation, which is observing Customer Service Week for the first time in its history.

For the NRC, the celebration goes beyond appreciating its passengers. It is also an opportunity to recognise employees who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to service delivery while reinforcing a culture of customer-centricity across the Corporation.

The initiative is in line with the vision of the Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, who has consistently emphasised the need to place passengers at the heart of the Corporation’s operations and improve their overall travel experience.

Opeifa said the experiences of the Corporation in recent times had further underscored the importance of listening to customers and responding more effectively to their needs.

“Customers are at the heart of everything we do. Their feedback, trust and partnership challenge us to keep improving and delivering value every day.

“Customer Service Week is an opportunity to recognise that relationship and remind ourselves that great service must go beyond expectations,” he said.

According to the NRC, the theme, “The Extra Mile,” reflects the changing expectations of modern train passengers and the need for service providers to go beyond routine obligations.

Going the extra mile, the Corporation noted, could mean listening more attentively to passengers, resolving complaints more quickly, providing clearer and timely information, anticipating customer needs, simplifying processes or demonstrating empathy when it matters most.

The NRC said the commitment would apply across all its operational areas nationwide, with emphasis on providing passengers with a consistent, responsive and dependable experience regardless of where or how they interact with the Corporation.

The Corporation also pledged to strengthen its customer-feedback mechanisms and establish a closer link between passenger insights and continuous improvements in service delivery.

It said its objective was to ensure that exceptional customer service becomes an everyday practice rather than an activity reserved for Customer Service Week.

“Every interaction presents an opportunity to listen better, respond faster, show genuine care and create greater value for our customers,” the Corporation stated.

For the NRC, therefore, “The Extra Mile” is more than a theme for a week-long celebration. It represents a commitment to making every passenger interaction count and ensuring that customers enjoy a safer, more responsive and rewarding experience throughout their journey on Nigerian trains.