Maritime
2022: INERTIA IN THE MARITIME SECTOR BAD OMEN FOR NIGERIA
For Nigeria to overcome the lingering inertia in the maritime sector, government must decisively address the foreign exchange question, neglect of eastern ports, crude oil theft and other matters. Foremost maritime lawyer, Chief EMMANUEL OSUALA NWAGBARA stated this in a chat with IZUCHUKWU OZOEMENA.
Q: As 2022 rushes to end, the persistent inertia in Nigeria’s maritime sector remains a huge worry. What’s your take?
Ans: What happens globally affects Nigeria because she’s a member of the comity of nations. Whether we like it or not, the Russia/Ukraine conflict has a debilitating effect on the global economy including the economy of countries outside Eastern Europe including Nigeria.
In Nigeria, we see that there is a scarcity of foreign exchange right now; the economy is not smiling. This is complicated by government’s failure to take advantage of certain aspects of the implications of the war in Eastern Europe. For instance, while other countries are increasing their crude oil supply at least to meet their OPEC quota, Nigeria has lost on her quota from about 1.8mbd to less than 900mbd as we speak. Nigeria has failed to take advantage of the rise in demand for oil occasioned by the war. Therefore, Nigeria is not doing well in generating forex. That means her economy gets a harder hit with what is happening in Eastern Europe. The cost of importation has also risen. Since Nigeria is not able to take advantage of the war to increase her OPEC quota and is therefore losing revenue, she is spending so much borrowing to finance her imports. Importers are not able to import and this impacts on businesses in the maritime sector.
So, a port that should be bubbling with activities if we had all the forex to import is virtually empty because Nigerians now have to source their forex from the autonomous market which is very expensive.
Another way to look at the inertia in the maritime sector is the failure of the NPA to develop the eastern ports and work with the Navy to ensure security in the eastern ports area. NPA has refused to deepen the channel in the eastern flank. That would have been an opportunity for business boom. Even with low imports into Nigeria, many vessels still queue outside Lagos ports. That will not happen if the eastern ports were given attention and many of the vessels diverted there to discharge and pick cargo. Because of that, there’s no movement or business from the eastern ports to Lagos or vice versa. Even with the vessels that queue up, export business is not booming. Many of our exports go bad before reaching the ports because the access roads are clustered. If NPA is truthful, nothing stops it from diverting all exports to Onne Port which still measures 14+ metres draught.
If a vessel like Lady Jane that came in last April will take about 600 containers of agro products for exports, it means if NPA dedicated Onne Port for exports, there will be lots of movement. It means other interests will come in to invest in the waterways so that containers can go from Lagos to Onne, Port Harcourt, Calabar, etc. There will be more push from NPA and security agencies to collaborate for security on the waterways at all times.
Q: Federal Government is yet to convince all that politics is not the main reason the eastern ports are still suffering neglect. Do you agree?
Ans: When you refuse to do what you should do to spread development, it is likely to have a political undertone. Let us starve this section of the country of development. That is what we are saying that should not exist in Nigeria’s maritime sector because it’s all negative when you fail to do the right thing. If the economy is smiling because the eastern ports are busy, it means less restiveness from that area.
It is wrong political decisions by regulatory agencies that are keeping the economy down. Politics should not be brought into businesses that create development. Port development is strictly commerce. It is better Nigeria develops all ports as any city with a port has no business with poverty. We should not bring politics to ports development.
Q: Is it right that instead of adequately empowering security agencies to protect oil pipelines, government is contracting the job to non-state actors?
Ans: It is an acceptance by government that confidence in the security agencies has been eroded. This means self-indictment. Why should that be? I do not share the idea that locals should be excluded from protecting our national assets such as oil pipelines and installations that pass through their territory. What we need is a healthy relationship between the security agencies and the indigenes. Government should do everything possible to promote good livelihood of the locals so as to earn their cooperation with the security agencies to protect the oil installations. Government should go back to the drawing board, look at positions people have taken over what is happening to the oil pipelines and address the issues holistically. Various organizations in the locality should work with security agencies to ensure that the pipelines are protected.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Executive Director, Operations and Technical at the Tantita Security Services Ltd, will deliver the keynote speech at the 10th Annual Maritime Students and Youth Conference (AMSAY) billed for June 10, 2026. Venue is the Conference Hall of the Mission To Seafarers, 29 Marine Road, Apapa GRA, Lagos.
As stated in a release, Enisuoh will speak on the lead paper entitled, “The Youth and the Future of Nigerian Maritime Sector: Understanding How Nations Develop Their Maritime Industry.”
Organised by Platforms Communications annually, the arrowhead, Sylvanus Obasi, says the AMSAY Conference has over the past decade evolved into a critical platform for youth advocacy, mentorship and stakeholders’-students engagement to discuss and proffer solutions to contemporary issues affecting the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector, having consistently driven conversations around industry reforms, capacity growth, innovation and sustainable development.
With over two decades of global experience spanning maritime operations, aviation, and national security, Captain Enisuoh is widely regarded as a leading authority in maritime safety, shipping development, and infrastructure protection in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
He holds a Master Mariner Class 1 Unlimited Foreign Going License, an Aircraft Pilot’s License, and a Diploma in Aviation. His academic journey includes training at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron; Arab Maritime Transport Academy, Egypt; Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania; Tasmanian Aviation College; and the Swiss Air Training Centre in Zurich.
Over the years, he has held strategic roles across continents, including eight years with Pacific International Lines in Singapore and six years with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). He also served as a lecturer, instructor, course developer, and examiner at the Australian Maritime College.
In Nigeria, he contributed significantly to sectoral development during his tenure at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), where he served as Director of Maritime Safety and Director of Shipping Development.
Capt Warredi”s Keynote Speech will also feature a high-level panel discussion moderated by Captain Dr. Fola Ojutalayo, Marine Surveyor and Senior Lecturer at the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology.
Panelists are drawn from diverse segments of the maritime industry, including regulators, shipowners, local content experts, technical professionals, legal practitioners, operators, and the academia as representatives from NIMASA, Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited, and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, are expected to discuss the lead paper .
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Ports Authority Police (Western) Command has called for deeper collaboration with maritime journalists as part of efforts to strengthen security within Nigeria’s port environment and support the growth of the nation’s maritime economy.
Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, CP Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, made the call on Tuesday while receiving the newly elected executives of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) during a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.
The visit, led by MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, provided an opportunity for both parties to reaffirm their commitment to promoting safety, security, and operational efficiency across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Speaking during the engagement, Onigbinde commended the Command for its efforts in safeguarding the nation’s ports and other critical maritime assets, noting that security remains a key pillar for sustainable trade and economic development.
He pledged MARAN’s continued support through responsible journalism, accurate reporting, and constructive engagement with stakeholders in the maritime sector.
According to him, the media has a crucial role to play in creating public awareness, promoting transparency, and highlighting issues that impact the efficiency and competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
In her remarks, CP Agbaminoja congratulated the newly elected MARAN leadership and acknowledged the association’s longstanding contribution to the dissemination of credible information on developments within the maritime industry.
She emphasized that stronger cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the media would enhance public trust, improve security consciousness, and contribute to national economic growth.
The Commissioner noted that effective communication and timely information sharing are essential in addressing security challenges within the port ecosystem, stressing that the media remains a strategic partner in achieving those objectives.
She further assured the association of the Command’s readiness to maintain open channels of communication and foster productive partnerships aimed at advancing port security, maritime safety, and trade facilitation.
Nigeria’s ports serve as critical gateways for international trade and revenue generation, making security within the maritime sector a matter of national economic importance. Stakeholders have consistently advocated greater collaboration among security agencies, regulators, operators, and the media to strengthen surveillance, curb criminal activities, and improve operational efficiency.
The meeting concluded with both the Ports Authority Police Command and MARAN reaffirming their commitment to sustained engagement and cooperation in support of a safer and more efficient maritime industry.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Nigeria’s pioneer maritime journalists’ body, the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) will inaugurate her brand new Executive Council on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.
The high-profile event which is planned to bring together key stakeholders from the maritime, shipping, logistics, security, and media sectors will also feature discussions on strengthening ethical standards in maritime journalism.
The theme of the inauguration is “Upholding Ethical Journalism for Maritime Development.”
The Chairman of the occasion is Emmanuel Maiguwa Gankino, President, Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), while the keynote address will be delivered by Mr. Bolaji Abimbola, a leading public relations and event management expert.
Special Guests of Honour expected at the event include the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr. Pius Akutah Ukeyima; and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. Also expected are chief executives of maritime agencies, captains of industry, leaders of maritime associations, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, and other critical stakeholders across the maritime value chain.
Speaking ahead of the inauguration, MARAN President, Comrade. Oluyinka Onigbinde, described the event as a defining moment in the association’s journey towards deepening professionalism, credibility, and responsible maritime reportage.
The new executive council, he stated, will focus on repositioning MARAN as a stronger voice within the maritime sector through capacity building, constructive engagement, and adherence to ethical journalism standards.
He noted that the theme of the event underscores the indispensable role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable development within Nigeria’s maritime industry.
“The maritime industry is central to Nigeria’s economic growth, and ethical journalism remains a vital instrument for ensuring that developments within the sector are accurately reported and constructively engaged,” he added.
Onigbinde further called on government agencies, industry operators, and media practitioners to continue supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime journalism and advancing the nation’s blue economy aspirations.
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