The Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) has set a May 2027 deadline for the National Assembly to pass all pending maritime bills. The association warned that further delays could undermine efforts to translate Nigeria's maritime policies and international commitments into effective laws and enforcement. This call was made in a statement by NMLA President, Mr. Mike Igbokwe, SAN, to mark the 2026 World Maritime Day.
The NMLA also urged the Federal Government to accelerate the domestication of outstanding international maritime treaties and adequately resource enforcement agencies. According to the association, Nigeria's maritime progress must be measured by practical outcomes in safety, security, seafarers' welfare, environmental protection, and the efficiency of ports and supply chains. The NMLA made this statement under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) theme, "From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence."
The IMO theme for 2026 and 2027 underscores the need to move beyond the negotiation and ratification of maritime conventions to their domestication, implementation, and enforcement. The association emphasized that excellence must be visible in safer voyages, protected seafarers, cleaner waters, efficient cargo movement, and confidence in the enforcement of maritime rights. This is crucial as global shipping faces growing demands relating to safety, security, decarbonization, and technological change.
The NMLA noted that international standards alone cannot address the challenges facing global shipping. Governments must give effect to their obligations, maritime administrations must have the capacity to enforce them, and industry must invest in the people, vessels, and systems needed for compliance. The association also highlighted the need for the transition to cleaner shipping to take account of the financing and infrastructure constraints confronting developing maritime nations.
Nigeria's membership of the IMO Council for the 2026-2027 biennium offers an opportunity for the country to contribute to global maritime policy and decision-making. However, the NMLA argued that this international role should be matched by stronger implementation at home. According to the association, Nigeria's voice would carry greater weight if treaties it had signed or ratified were promptly domesticated and effectively implemented and monitored by relevant institutions.
The NMLA cited Nigeria's existing maritime framework, including the Nigerian Ports Authority Act, Cabotage Act 2003, Merchant Shipping Act 2007, Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act 2019, and Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act. The association also noted ongoing work by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on ship-to-ship transfer and cargo-related regulations, ship finance and ship registration, as well as its collaboration with the Nigerian Navy in securing the Gulf of Guinea.
The NMLA said these efforts, supported by the Deep Blue Project and international partnerships, had contributed to a measurable decline in piracy. The association emphasized that Nigeria's maritime progress must be matched with practical outcomes in various areas, including safety, security, and environmental protection. The NMLA's call for faster treaty domestication and stronger maritime law enforcement aims to ensure that Nigeria's maritime policies and international commitments are effectively implemented.
Key points
- The Nigerian Maritime Law Association has given the National Assembly a May 2027 deadline to clear all pending maritime bills.
- The association urged the Federal Government to accelerate the domestication of outstanding international maritime treaties.
- Nigeria's membership of the IMO Council for 2026-2027 offers an opportunity for the country to contribute to global maritime policy and decision-making.
