Oyetola Urges Judiciary To Build Capacity For Emerging Maritime Disputes
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has called on the Nigerian judiciary to strengthen its capacity to address emerging maritime disputes arising from technological advancements and the global transition to cleaner shipping.
Speaking at the opening of the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges in Abuja, Oyetola said innovations such as autonomous vessels, digital shipping systems, electronic bills of lading and blockchain-enabled cargo documentation were creating complex legal issues that require specialised judicial expertise.
He noted that autonomous ships, in particular, raise critical questions regarding liability, navigational responsibility, insurance, collision regulations and legal accountability when technology fails.
According to the minister, the growing adoption of digital freight contracts and electronic trade documentation is reshaping global commerce while introducing new evidentiary, contractual and jurisdictional challenges for the courts.
Oyetola also said the global drive towards maritime decarbonisation is expected to generate disputes relating to environmental liability, pollution damage, regulatory enforcement and compliance with evolving international standards.
He urged judges to approach such matters with sound legal reasoning, scientific understanding and knowledge of emerging international maritime jurisprudence.
The minister stressed that strengthening litigation and arbitration mechanisms would enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness as Africa’s leading maritime hub, noting that judicial decisions play a significant role in boosting investor confidence.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting specialised maritime divisions within the Federal High Court, aligning domestic laws with international maritime conventions and promoting maritime arbitration.
Highlighting ongoing reforms in the sector, Oyetola referenced the £746 million financing agreement with the United Kingdom for the modernisation of the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports. He also announced plans for the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) to support indigenous shipowners and create an estimated 30,000 jobs.
The minister further disclosed that Nigeria has recorded four consecutive years without piracy incidents in its territorial waters through the Deep Blue Project. He added that maritime agencies generated more than ₦1.8 trillion in revenue in 2025, while domestic fish production increased from approximately 1.1 million to 1.4 million metric tonnes.
He emphasised that the marine and blue economy cannot thrive without a strong legal framework and called for courts with the expertise to interpret increasingly sophisticated international maritime legal instruments.
Also speaking, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, represented by the Deputy Chief Whip, Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka, underscored the strategic importance of the maritime sector to both national and global economies.
He observed that disruptions in maritime trade could have far-reaching consequences for supply chains, the availability and cost of goods, industrial production and overall economic growth.
The Speaker assured stakeholders of the National Assembly’s continued commitment to enacting relevant legislation and providing effective oversight to support the sustainable development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges was organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI). The event attracted chief justices from The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia and Sierra Leone, as well as Nigerian judicial officers, legal scholars, arbitrators and maritime law practitioners.
