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The Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN) has called on maritime arbitrators and legal practitioners to play a more active role in translating Nigeria’s maritime policies into effective legal frameworks, contractual certainty and efficient dispute resolution.
The President of MAAN, Chief Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN, made the call in her World Maritime Day message, stressing the importance of professionalism, integrity, capacity-building and the rule of law in building a globally competitive Nigerian maritime sector.
Anishere said maritime lawyers and arbitrators must go beyond discussions around policy and regulation by helping to ensure that government commitments produce tangible outcomes across the industry.
“As maritime arbitrators and legal practitioners, MAAN has an important role to play. We must help ensure that maritime policies are translated into clear legal frameworks, contractual certainty, effective dispute prevention and efficient dispute resolution,” she said.
According to her, a strong maritime industry requires legal and institutional frameworks that provide certainty for investors, operators, regulators and other stakeholders while reducing avoidable disputes and improving confidence in Nigeria’s maritime business environment.
She urged members of the association to champion professionalism and integrity while continually strengthening their expertise to meet the increasingly complex demands of international maritime commerce.
Anishere also challenged stakeholders to shift from policy formulation to implementation and from commitments to measurable results.
“Let us therefore move from policy to practice. From regulation to implementation. From commitments to measurable results. From potential to performance,” she said.
She noted that the legal profession has a critical role in supporting the development of a safer, more secure, sustainable and efficient maritime sector, particularly as Nigeria seeks to maximise the economic opportunities presented by its maritime and blue economy ambitions.
The MAAN president called on members to renew their professional commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s maritime industry and positioning it to compete more effectively in the international maritime arena.
“Let us be part of the generation that does not merely discuss maritime excellence, but delivers it,” Anishere said.
She wished members and stakeholders a happy World Maritime Day, while reaffirming MAAN’s commitment to the advancement of maritime arbitration, legal professionalism and the rule of law in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
