Headlines

Our operations are critical to preserve national peace, security– Navy

Gloria Odion

The Nigerian Navy has said its operations which span across the stretch of the nation’s space is critical and strategic to preserve national security.

According to the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base Badagry, Capt Leyeh Omotayo, its officers and men are also on standby to respond to any situation affecting movements of goods and citizens within designated ECOWAS space.

Omotayo, who was speaking when he received a delegation of the leadership of the ECOWAS Subregion Media Group who paid him a courtesy visit, explained that the job of the NN does not entertain any form of laxity nor compromise to crush acts of economic criminalities on Nigerian territorial waters.

The FOB CO ,who was represented during the visit on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 by the Base Staff Officer, S. Yakubu ,said the criticality of the NN to the maintenance of peace and security within the nation and the ECOWAS sub region is further emphasized by what is known as the ‘Strategic Directive’.

This philosophy , he further maintained, temanates from the Office of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla and designed as a quick response to quell developments that are detrimental to the peace and security of the nation.

One of the major credits to the FOB Badagry was a recent curtailment of attempted trespass by the Republic of Benin Navy into Nigerian territory; believed to have been speedily responded to under the CNS SD as part of the NN Internal Security assignment.

Speaking about various forms of economic criminalities within its territory stretching across the borders, Yakubu explained that most smuggling activities are planned on land before they are executed at the creeks, while some of the smuggled items are also routed through the creeks and rivers; and vice versa.

“We conduct operations in the waters and on land in the area of internal security; be it that of sovereign aggression, economic criminality or social uprising.

“We start from the brown waters and our men often go there to conduct operation before they go to sea.”

He said that the Base has regularly helped in making seizures both of customs and narcotic goods such as rice and cannabis sativa at the creeks which they later hand over to the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, respectively.

Yakubu further explained that of recent, the Base rescued three young

Nigerian ladies that were trafficked out of Lagos and the victims were handed over to the Western Naval Command for onward handover to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.

“On collaboration, we work with all other government security agencies on this axis and respond to request for enhanced counter action to arrest any security situation”, Yakubu said.

This is even as the Base leadership pledged to partner with ECOWAS Sub-Region Media Group, while urging members of the group and the media generally to give greater attention to editorials designed to sensitize and provide a new positive orientation to the Nigerian youths bracket that criminality is a misnomer.

“The CO who was to receive you personally have to rush out for an important assignment and he asked me to tell you that the Base will partner with you for the ease and success of your task as media practitioners.

“We regard the role of both the media and NN as an important national duty and we are are willing to collaborate with you.

“The job of the NN is also a very sensitive one and the media should recognize it for what it is and desist from sensational and negative reports that are capable of creating distrust and or peddling inaccuracies.

” We thank you for your visit and look forward to working with you.”

Yakubu lamented that the media has unfortunately helped criminally minded youths and individual groups with the propagation of their negative actions, by promoting gains of notorious criminal activities.

“For instance, insurgents in the north and elsewhere use the media to propagate their heinous crimes, others watching will be tempted to believe that criminality pays.

” The media should be circumspect on what to promote in its news, especially regarding any form of criminalities, political, religious, social or economic.

” This is the only way to dissuade the younger ones from believing that crimes are gainful or normal, it is a misnomer”, he said.

President of the ESMG, Mr. Ovi Manuel Kuponu who shortly before the visit became indisposed and was represented by Mr. Eguono Odjegba, emphasized the importance of availing journalists firsthand information about developments to forestall misrepresentations and imbalances in their news reportage.

He noted that the group acknowledge Navy’s critical role in safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

This collaboration marks a significant step towards ensuring that the public stays well informed about the vital work the Nigerian Navy is doing in maintaining national security and combating illegal activities along the country’s sub regional routes, roads and waterways inclusive; in addition to responding to other internal security issues.

The representative of the CO presented a plague to the group as a commemoration of the courtesy visit.

Headlines

NIWA, NSIB deepen collaboration to curb boat mishaps on inland waterways

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has pledged to strengthen its partnership with the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to enhance safety and reduce the incidence of boat accidents across the country’s inland waterways.

The commitment was made by the Acting Managing Director of NIWA, Malam Umar Yusuf Girei, when he received the Director-General of NSIB, Captain Alex Sabundu Badeh Jnr., during a courtesy visit to the NIWA headquarters in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Tuesday, July 21st, 2026.

Girei said the renewed collaboration would focus on information sharing, joint operations and closer institutional cooperation aimed at addressing the persistent challenge of boat mishaps on Nigeria’s waterways.

He stressed that effective collaboration among relevant agencies is essential to improving navigation safety and protecting lives and property.

“NIWA is dedicated to strengthening partnerships with sister agencies to improve safety standards and enforce regulations for safer water transportation in Nigeria,” he said.

The Acting Managing Director assured the NSIB of NIWA’s readiness to provide relevant information, technical expertise and operational support to facilitate prompt investigation of marine incidents and the implementation of preventive measures to minimise future accidents.

In his remarks, the Director-General of NSIB, Captain Alex Sabundu Badeh Jnr., said the visit was intended to reinforce the existing relationship between the two agencies and identify new areas of collaboration in accident investigation, data sharing and the promotion of safety standards.

The meeting underscores the growing efforts by both agencies to improve safety oversight on Nigeria’s inland waterways amid recurring boat accidents, with greater emphasis on coordinated investigations, information exchange and proactive measures to prevent future tragedies.

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Oyetola tasks Judiciary to brace up for emerging maritime disputes from digital shipping, autonomous vessels

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has called on Nigeria’s judiciary to prepare for a new wave of complex maritime disputes arising from autonomous vessels, digital shipping systems and the global transition to cleaner maritime transport.

Oyetola said the rapid evolution of maritime technology is creating unprecedented legal challenges relating to liability, navigational responsibility, insurance, collision regulations and the allocation of responsibility when autonomous ships or their systems fail.

The Minister made the call while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges, jointly organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026.

He noted that the increasing digitalisation of global shipping through electronic bills of lading, blockchain-enabled cargo documentation and digital freight contracts is reshaping international commerce while raising fresh evidentiary, contractual and jurisdictional questions.

“The prospect of vessels operating with limited or no human crews raises fundamental questions concerning liability, navigational responsibility, insurance, collision regulations, and the allocation of legal responsibility when technology fails,” Oyetola said.

He added that the growing international drive towards maritime decarbonisation and environmental sustainability would also generate more disputes over environmental liability, pollution damage, regulatory enforcement and compliance with evolving international standards.

According to him, judges handling such matters must combine sound legal reasoning with scientific understanding and an appreciation of emerging international maritime jurisprudence.

Oyetola stressed that an efficient and predictable system for resolving maritime disputes through litigation and arbitration is critical to positioning Nigeria as Africa’s leading maritime hub.

“Every judgment delivered in a maritime matter sends a powerful message—not only to the litigants before the court, but also to international investors, shipowners, financiers, insurers, cargo interests and seafarers across the world,” he said.

“A predictable, well-reasoned and internationally informed judiciary is itself an instrument of economic competitiveness.

“It lowers transaction costs, enhances commercial confidence, encourages parties to choose Nigerian courts and arbitration centres, and reinforces Nigeria’s reputation as a credible destination for maritime investment.”

The Minister disclosed that the Federal Government would continue to strengthen specialised maritime divisions within the Federal High Court, align domestic legislation with current international maritime conventions and promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, particularly maritime arbitration.

He described judicial excellence as a strategic economic asset, saying investments in judicial capacity are investments in Nigeria’s future competitiveness within the global maritime economy.

Highlighting recent achievements in the sector, Oyetola said the Federal Government had secured a £746 million financing agreement with the United Kingdom for the modernisation of the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.

He also revealed that the long-awaited disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) would enable Nigerian shipowners to acquire vessels, expand participation in coastal shipping and create an estimated 30,000 jobs.

According to him, Nigeria has now recorded four consecutive years without piracy in its territorial waters through the Deep Blue Project, while maritime agencies collectively generated more than ₦1.8 trillion in 2025.

He also noted that domestic fish production has increased from about 1.1 million metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes.

The Minister observed that the continued expansion of offshore renewable energy, aquaculture, seabed resources, coastal tourism and other blue economy sectors would inevitably lead to more disputes involving investors, regulators, host communities and commercial operators.

“The marine and blue economy cannot flourish in a legal vacuum,” Oyetola stated, adding that Nigeria needs courts with “the courage to uphold the rule of law, the wisdom to balance the legitimate interests of commerce with the demands of justice, and the expertise to interpret and apply increasingly sophisticated international maritime legal instruments.”

Speaking as Chairman of the occasion, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, underscored the strategic importance of the maritime sector to Nigeria’s economy and called for the speedy dispensation of admiralty justice.

He warned that delays in resolving maritime disputes could negatively affect trade, shipping, investment, port operations and the broader economy, stressing that timely dispute resolution is essential to sustaining investor confidence and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness as a regional maritime hub.

Akume also urged government agencies to work collaboratively rather than in isolation, noting that the complex nature of the marine and blue economy demands effective inter-agency coordination.

He assured participants of the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening cooperation among relevant institutions to improve trade facilitation, port efficiency and maritime operations.

Declaring the seminar open, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, described the maritime sector as a critical driver of international trade, economic growth, employment and national revenue.

She emphasised that maritime disputes are often complex, time-sensitive and cross-border in nature, warning that delays in adjudication can disrupt commercial activities, increase costs and undermine investor confidence.

The Chief Justice called for a responsive, efficient and specialised admiralty justice system capable of resolving maritime disputes promptly, while also stressing the importance of cross-border judicial cooperation given the inherently international character of maritime commerce.

She described the seminar as an important platform for knowledge sharing, professional engagement and strengthening institutional capacity in maritime law.
Also speaking, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, represented by the Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to providing the legislative framework necessary for the growth of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

He noted that disruptions in maritime trade have far-reaching consequences for supply chains, industrial production, prices of goods and overall economic growth, assuring participants that the House would continue to enact relevant legislation and exercise effective oversight to support the sector.

The seminar attracted Chief Justices from The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia and Sierra Leone, alongside Justices of Nigeria’s Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, Federal and State High Court Judges, legal scholars, arbitrators and maritime law practitioners.
The three-day seminar runs from July 22 to July 24, 2026, in Abuja.

Headlines

NIMASA, NSIB reinstate commitment to strengthen maritime safety

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) have agreed to deepen institutional collaboration to enhance maritime safety, security and marine casualty investigations in Nigeria.

The commitment was made when the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, received the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the NSIB, Captain Alex Sabundu Badeh Jnr., during a courtesy visit to the agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Mobereola said NIMASA recognises the strategic role of the NSIB in promoting transportation safety and stressed that stronger collaboration between both agencies is essential to improving safety within Nigeria’s maritime domain.

He said effective maritime safety requires commitment, practical cooperation and institutional frameworks capable of delivering sustainable results.

“Our shared responsibility is to build a maritime sector that operates on global best practices while protecting lives, vessels and the marine environment. Ultimately, our collective goal is to contribute to making Nigeria greater through stronger institutions and effective inter-agency cooperation,” Mobereola stated.

The NIMASA boss added that the agency is committed to working closely with the NSIB to build a partnership that would strengthen Nigeria’s maritime safety architecture and deliver lasting value to the industry.

He noted that the initiative aligns with the vision of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, whose emphasis on inter-agency collaboration continues to support the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

Earlier, Captain Badeh described collaboration between the two agencies as vital to improving transportation safety and preventing future marine casualties.

According to him, although both organisations have distinct statutory mandates, they share the common objective of protecting lives, property and the marine environment through effective safety systems.

“Our mandates are different, but our destination is the same—a safer and more resilient maritime sector for Nigeria. Safety is most effective when institutions work together, sharing information, expertise and best practices.

“A stronger partnership between the NSIB and NIMASA will enhance marine casualty investigations, strengthen preventive measures and ensure that lessons learned translate into safer operations across the maritime industry,” he said.

Captain Badeh identified key areas of cooperation to include marine casualty notification, emergency response coordination, preservation of evidence, information sharing, technical support, capacity building and the implementation of safety recommendations.
He added that formalising the partnership would further strengthen Nigeria’s compliance with international maritime safety standards.
As part of the agreement, both agencies resolved to immediately establish technical committees to develop the framework for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and draft the Terms of Reference that will guide cooperation in information sharing, marine casualty investigations, capacity development and implementation of safety recommendations.
The collaboration is expected to provide a structured framework for institutional cooperation, reinforce Nigeria’s compliance with international maritime obligations and further strengthen the country’s maritime safety regime.
NIMASA said the partnership reflects its commitment to leveraging strategic collaborations with national and international stakeholders to improve maritime safety and security, enhance regulatory efficiency and support the Federal Government’s vision of building a globally competitive and sustainable blue economy.