Akutah applauds Tinubu’s Blue Economy Vision as FG deepens maritime justice reforms

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Akutah Pius, MON, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, describing the decision as a bold reform that has repositioned Nigeria’s maritime sector for accelerated growth and economic diversification.

Akutah gave the commendation at the closing of the opening ceremony of the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges in Abuja, where the federal government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s maritime justice system as a critical pillar for attracting investment, enhancing trade and unlocking the full potential of the country’s Blue Economy.

Represented by top government officials, the federal government stressed that closer collaboration among the judiciary, maritime regulators and industry stakeholders remains essential to building a predictable legal environment capable of inspiring investor confidence and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness in global shipping.

Speaking at the seminar organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council(NSC) in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI), the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, described the programme as one of Africa’s foremost judicial capacity-building platforms.

Akume

According to Akume, an efficient, transparent and commercially responsive maritime justice system is indispensable to Nigeria’s economic ambitions.

“A credible, efficient and expert maritime justice system is not peripheral to that ambition; it is foundational to it. No investor will commit capital to a maritime venture in Nigeria if they cannot trust that contractual disputes will be resolved fairly and swiftly,” he said.

He noted that the seminar has continued to strengthen judicial competence in admiralty law, harmonise maritime jurisprudence and improve commercial dispute resolution, thereby positioning Nigeria as a stronger player in international maritime trade.

Gboyega

Also speaking, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said the rapid evolution of global shipping technologies, including autonomous vessels, digital shipping systems and environmental regulations, demands continuous judicial education.

According to him, technological innovations are creating new legal questions relating to liability, insurance, collision regulations, environmental compliance and navigational responsibility, making it imperative for Nigerian judges to remain abreast of international developments in maritime law.

Some of the participants

He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to expanding specialised maritime divisions within the Federal High Court, aligning Nigeria’s maritime laws with contemporary international conventions and promoting alternative dispute resolution, particularly maritime arbitration.

Kekere- Ekun

Declaring the seminar open, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, underscored the strategic importance of the maritime sector to Nigeria’s economy, noting that it facilitates international trade, generates employment and contributes significantly to national revenue.

She warned that delays in resolving maritime disputes increase business costs, undermine investor confidence and disrupt commercial operations, stressing the need for a specialised and responsive admiralty justice system.

Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema, also reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to working closely with the judiciary, regulators and industry stakeholders to strengthen trade facilitation, improve investor confidence and promote sustainable growth within the maritime sector.

In his vote of thanks, Akutah expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for providing the policy direction that led to the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, describing the move as a landmark step toward diversifying Nigeria’s economy through the maritime sector.

He said the creation of the ministry had revived institutions within the sector and provided renewed momentum for reforms capable of transforming Nigeria into a leading maritime nation.

Akutah also thanked the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the National Judicial Institute, judges, maritime law experts, regulators and other participants for supporting the seminar over the years, noting that their contributions have sustained a programme that has remained Nigeria’s foremost platform for strengthening judicial capacity in maritime law since its inauguration in 1995.

The three-day seminar brings together judges, legal practitioners, maritime regulators, academics and industry stakeholders to deliberate on emerging issues in admiralty law, maritime arbitration, digital shipping, marine environmental protection and other contemporary legal developments shaping global maritime commerce.