….. Mobereola Declares at 4th Admiralty Law Colloquium
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has emphasized the crucial role of the judiciary in driving Nigeria’s Blue Economy transformation, as the Agency hosted the 4th Admiralty Law Colloquium in Lagos with the theme “Charting the Course of Nigeria’s Blue Economy.”
Speaking at the opening of the event, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, described the judiciary as a key partner in realizing the economic potential of Nigeria’s maritime resources. He said sustainable growth of the Blue Economy depends on strong legal interpretation, judicial collaboration, and consistent policy enforcement.
“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,” Mobereola stated.
Mobereola explained that the judiciary’s consistent interpretation of maritime laws has been instrumental in improving industry standards, promoting investor confidence, and enhancing maritime safety and security.
In a keynote address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokumbo Kekere-Ekun, represented by Hon. Justice Emmanuel Akomoye Agim, JSC CFR, commended NIMASA and the National Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) for their collaboration in hosting the colloquium, describing it as a platform that strengthens judicial understanding of maritime and admiralty laws.
“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 as an active navigator steering the ship of justice through the complex waters of maritime development,” Justice Agim remarked.
The colloquium featured presentations by maritime law experts, including Dr. Emeka Akabogu (SAN) and Dr. Chukwuchefu Ukatta, who both emphasized the importance of aligning judicial processes with the country’s Blue Economy goals. Their papers called for policy coherence, legal clarity, and institutional synergy to attract investment and boost maritime trade.
A panel discussion chaired by Professor A. J. Abikan, Director General of NIALS, followed the technical sessions and provided a vibrant platform for stakeholders to exchange insights on the intersection of law, maritime policy, and economic development.
Dignitaries in attendance included the President, Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice M. B. Dongbam-Mensem, represented by Hon. Justice E. O. Williams-Dawodu, and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Tsoho, represented by Hon. Justice A. Faji.
The Admiralty Law Colloquium is a yearly initiative jointly organized by NIMASA and NIALS, with support from the National Judicial Institute (NJI). It serves as a capacity-building platform for judicial officers, focusing on maritime law, improved adjudication, maritime safety, and the overall advancement of Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
Through sustained collaboration with the judiciary and academic institutions, NIMASA continues to lead efforts aimed at transforming Nigeria’s maritime potential into a viable economic pillar that contributes to national growth, sustainability, and global competitiveness.
NIMASA calls on the Nigerian judiciary to play a leading role in driving the nation’s Blue Economy at the 4th Admiralty Law Colloquium in Lagos, emphasizing collaboration, policy enforcement, and maritime law reform for sustainable growth.
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