From right: Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; representative of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Emmanuel Akomoye Agim, JSC CFR; Hon. Justice E.O Williams – Dawodu, and Hon. Justice Ayokunle O. Faji during the 4th Nigerian Admiralty Law Colloquium in Lagos.

Measures to harness and optimise Nigeria’s rich but untapped blue economy potential formed the central focus of discussions at the just concluded 4th Admiralty Law Colloquium hosted by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA.

The Agency has identified Nigeria’s judiciary as a major partner in the realisation of the benefits of the country’s Blue Economy.

Speaking at the 4th edition of the Admiralty Law Colloquium, held in Lagos with the theme: ‘Charting the Course of Nigeria’s Blue Economy’, a reflection of the increased national attention to the potential of the maritime industry in driving economic development, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola noted that the Judicial arm of government remains strategic in optimising the country’s Blue Economy resources.

 Dr Mobereola, who delivered a welcome speech at the event, said: “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.”

He further identified the important role of the country’s judiciary in interpreting extant maritime laws thereby helping to improve industry standards and aiding development of the Blue Economy.

In her key note address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokumbo Kekere-Ekun, who was represented by Hon. Justice Emmanuel Akomoye Agim, JSC CFR, commended NIMASA and the National Institute of Advanced Legal Studies NIALS, for collaborating to host the colloquium which is central to building the capacity of judicial officers in admiralty law.

The Chief Justice said: “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. 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 first session saw renowned maritime law experts including, Dr. Emeka Akabogu SAN and Dr. Chukwuchefu Ukatta, deliver papers in line with the theme of the event, emphasising the imperative of synergy between judicial processes and development of the Blue Economy in Nigeria.

A panel discussion chaired by the Director General of NIALS, Professor A. J. Abikan, was then held followed by an interactive session with attendees which concluded the event.

Present at the Colloquium were the President, Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice M. B. Dongbam-Mensem who was represented by Hon. Justice E. O. Williams-Dawodu and Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Tsoho who was represented by Hon. Justice A. Faji.

The Admiralty Law Colloquium is an annual event organized by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, in partnership with the National Institute of Advanced Legal Studies NIALS, and with support of the National Judicial Institute NJI. Its purpose is to facilitate discussions on maritime law, focusing on improving adjudication, enhancing maritime security and advancing the Nigerian Blue Economy.