The Nigerian Maritime Law Association has reiterated its commitment to improving maritime laws and practices in the country to boost confidence in Nigeria’s position within the international shipping community.
The President of NMLA President, Mrs. Funke Agbor, SAN, stated this recently in Lagos during the association’s 15th Annual General Meeting.
The AGM was themed, ‘Navigating policy and innovation: Practical pathways to a green future for Nigeria’s maritime sector’.
She added that the essence of the gathering was to reflect on the achievement in the sector and also to address the challenges ahead.
“Today, we gather with a shared purpose: to reflect on our achievements, address the challenges ahead, and reinforce our commitment to enhancing maritime law and practice in Nigeria,” Agbor said.
She highlighted the association’s role in promoting a robust legal framework, advancing legal reforms, and fostering best practices to support sustainable growth and development in the maritime sector.
According to her, the association remained focused on enhancing the capacity of Nigeria’s legal and judicial systems in maritime law, adopting forward-thinking policies, and aligning with international conventions.
“Through these efforts, we aim to support Nigeria’s aspirations to become a regional leader in maritime operations and governance,” she said.
She also underscored the importance of this year’s AGM, which featured panel discussions on critical areas such as the judicial sale of ships, sustainable ship recycling and cyber security in the maritime sector.
“These discussions will guide our efforts to ensure Nigeria remains competitive and compliant with global maritime standards,” Agbor added.
She urged attendees to make the AGM a platform not only for knowledge sharing but also for advancing Nigeria’s maritime sector through actionable outcomes.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr Pius Akutah, who was represented by the Director of Legal Service of NSC, Bala Saleh, commended the NMLA’s role in shaping maritime law and policy in the country.
He noted that the AGM theme aligns with the NSC’s objectives of building a resilient and sustainable maritime sector.
Akutah highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area as a game-changer for Nigeria’s maritime industry, creating unprecedented opportunities through enhanced intra-African trade.
“AfCFTA provides a platform to tap into larger markets, positioning Nigeria as a vital hub for regional trade,” he said.
The event brought together stakeholders to discuss policy advancements and innovations for the sector.
