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The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said that the judiciary remains a critical force in unlocking the economic potential of Nigeria’s Blue Economy, describing judges as “key navigators” in shaping maritime growth through legal interpretation and enforcement.
Speaking at the 4th Admiralty Law Colloquium held in Lagos, themed “Charting the Course of Nigeria’s Blue Economy,” NIMASA’s Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said that while policy and investment are essential, the courts hold the power to ensure stability, fairness, and investor confidence in the evolving maritime space.
“Nigeria’s Blue Economy requires an all-hands-on-deck approach, with the judiciary as a crucial actor. The interpretation of legal instruments and case decisions remains vital to the sustainable development of our maritime industry,” Mobereola said.
The NIMASA boss said the agency’s collaboration with the judiciary through the annual colloquium reflects a deliberate effort to strengthen maritime jurisprudence and align Nigeria’s admiralty framework with global best practices.
In her keynote address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, represented by Justice Emmanuel Akomoye Agim, JSC, CFR, commended NIMASA and the National Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) for fostering judicial understanding of maritime issues.
She urged judges to play an active role in economic transformation, warning that Nigeria’s Blue Economy must not remain a policy slogan but a tangible driver of growth, jobs, and sustainability.
“The judiciary must not stand at the shoreline as a passive observer, but as an active navigator – steering the ship of justice through the complex waters of maritime development,” she said.
Legal experts; Dr. Emeka Akabogu (SAN) and Dr. Chukwuchefu Ukatta, also presented papers highlighting the link between judicial reforms and maritime competitiveness, while Prof. A. J. Abikan, Director-General of NIALS, chaired a panel session exploring the future of admiralty adjudication in Nigeria.
The event drew top members of the bench, including representatives of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice M. B. Dongbam-Mensem, and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho.
Jointly organized by NIMASA and NIALS with support from the National Judicial Institute (NJI), the Admiralty Law Colloquium continues to serve as a strategic platform for shaping maritime law, improving adjudication, and advancing Nigeria’s participation in the global Blue Economy.
