The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has said the administration of President Bola Tinubu has repositioned Nigeria’s maritime industry through significant reforms, calling for continued commitment to preserve and build on the achievements recorded so far.
Oyetola made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja during the opening ceremony of the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges.
The event was organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in partnership with the National Judicial Institute (NJI), under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
According to the minister, the Tinubu administration has established strong institutional, regulatory and economic frameworks aimed at unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy while promoting sustainable development, economic diversification and greater private sector participation.
He commended the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for maintaining the international seminar, describing it as a key platform for improving maritime jurisprudence, strengthening judicial expertise and advancing effective maritime justice in the country.
Oyetola noted that the government’s reforms had produced significant institutional and economic outcomes, stressing that the next step was to ensure the sustainability of the policies through stronger institutions, improved legal frameworks and expanded opportunities within the blue economy.
He emphasised that a reliable and predictable judicial system was vital to safeguarding investments and achieving Nigeria’s ambition of becoming Africa’s foremost maritime hub.
The minister also highlighted the importance of the seminar in equipping judges with updated knowledge to handle emerging challenges in international maritime law and modern shipping practices.
He urged judicial officers to stay informed about developments such as autonomous ships, digital maritime systems, artificial intelligence applications in shipping, maritime security and changing environmental regulations.
Oyetola explained that rapid technological advancements had introduced complex legal issues involving liability, insurance, navigation responsibilities, collision rules and accountability in cases involving autonomous vessels.
He added that courts would increasingly handle disputes related to environmental compliance, decarbonisation efforts, blockchain-based cargo records, electronic bills of lading and other emerging areas of maritime law.
The minister stressed that a well-informed judiciary was essential to boosting confidence in Nigeria’s maritime legal system and strengthening dispute resolution mechanisms.
He further stated that the timely and effective settlement of maritime disputes through litigation and arbitration was crucial to maintaining business confidence and attracting more investments into the sector.