The Federal Government has pledged to implement actionable recommendations from the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges, stressing that an efficient and credible maritime justice system is essential to attracting investment, facilitating trade and unlocking Nigeria’s blue economy potential.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, made the commitment on Wednesday in Abuja during the opening ceremony of the three-day seminar organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute and the Nigerian Maritime Law Association.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Yomi Odunuga, Akume said maritime justice extends beyond legal practice, warning that delays in resolving maritime disputes could negatively affect trade, investor confidence and the cost of goods.
He said, “When a maritime claim is delayed in court, trade suffers. When a ship arrest is poorly executed, investor confidence falls. When cargo liability disputes go unresolved, the cost of importing essential goods rises, and it is ordinary Nigerians who bear that cost.”
The SGF disclosed that his office would support the implementation of resolutions reached during the seminar, particularly those requiring legislative action, executive intervention and collaboration among government agencies.
He said recommendations requiring amendments to existing laws would be channelled through the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Justice, while issues involving the ratification of international conventions would receive the necessary attention from the executive.
Akume stressed that the outcome of the seminar must translate into concrete reforms, saying, “The work done in this hall over the next three days should not remain in this hall. It must find expression in policy, legislation, institutional reform and ultimately in the daily experience of every Nigerian who does business through our ports or seeks justice in our courts.”
He described an effective maritime justice system as a key component of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the Blue Economy, noting that investors would be reluctant to commit capital to Nigeria’s maritime sector without confidence in the country’s dispute-resolution mechanisms.
According to him, the Federal Government remains committed to developing a predictable and professionally competent maritime ecosystem capable of positioning Nigeria as a competitive force in global shipping and international trade.
The SGF also called for closer collaboration among critical maritime institutions, including the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Federal High Court.
He said the agencies must strengthen information sharing and regulatory coordination to improve efficiency and eliminate unnecessary bottlenecks across the maritime sector.
Akume commended the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for sustaining the International Maritime Seminar for Judges since 1995, describing the initiative as one of Africa’s most respected platforms for judicial learning and professional development.
He also welcomed judicial officers from Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Kenya and Liberia, expressing optimism that the gathering would strengthen regional cooperation, promote the harmonisation of business laws and facilitate maritime trade across Africa.
The three-day seminar has brought together judges, maritime law experts and other key stakeholders from across the continent to examine contemporary issues affecting maritime law, justice and dispute resolution.
