Nigeria must continue to strengthen legal instruments to grow maritime—Oyetola

The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, has deposited three Instruments of Accession to IMO Conventions that were signed by President Bola Tinubu, GCFR. This event took place at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which acts as the repository for these conventions. This move, coming a few weeks after Nigeria declared its intention to contest election for a seat on the IMO Council, is expected to enhance Nigeria’s maritime governance and align its practices with international standards, promoting maritime safety, security, and environmental protection. Shortly after the presentation ceremonies, Oyetola informed the IMO Secretary General, Arsenio Dominguez, of the President’s commitment to ensuring Nigeria aligns with international maritime standards regarding maritime safety, security, and sustainable marine practices. He also called on the IMO to extend technical support to Nigeria.
In his words: “These instruments, duly acceded by His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, signify Nigeria’s continued commitment to aligning with international maritime standards, ensuring maritime safety and security, and promoting sustainable marine practices.” “We hereby request tailored technical cooperation under the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) to enhance Nigeria’s compliance with IMO conventions and improve our maritime governance and implementation of the instruments we submitted today,” he stated. On his part, the IMO Secretary General, Arsenio Dominguez, acknowledged with appreciation the formal deposition of the Instruments of Accession, stating that it underscores Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to aligning with global maritime standards. “I congratulate Nigeria for its exceptional efforts in acceding to these six critical IMO instruments. I encourage continued momentum by securing presidential assent to additional key conventions. We at the IMO remains fully committed to supporting Nigeria through technical cooperation and capacity-building initiatives to ensure the successful implementation of these instruments”. He stated.
The instruments Oyetola handed over to IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez include the instrument of accession to the 2005 Protocol to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf (SUA Protocol 2005), the instrument of accession to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F), and the instrument of accession to the Protocol Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Pollution by Substances Other Than Oil (Intervention Protocol 1973). Three other Instruments of Accession signed by Mr President recently are undergoing further steps to complete the processes for their deposit.