Maritime Justice Delays Hurt Trade, Raise Cost Of Goods

The Federal Government has pledged to implement actionable recommendations from the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges, saying an efficient and credible maritime justice system is critical to attracting investment, facilitating trade and unlocking the country’s blue economy potential.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, made the commitment on Wednesday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the seminar organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute and the Nigerian Maritime Law Association.

In a statement by his spokesman, Yomi Odunuga, Akume said maritime justice goes beyond legal practice, stressing that delays in resolving maritime disputes negatively impact trade, investor confidence and the cost of goods for ordinary Nigerians.

“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,” he said.

He disclosed that his Office would support the implementation of resolutions reached at the three-day seminar, particularly those requiring legislative intervention, executive action and inter-agency collaboration.

According to him, recommendations bordering on legislative amendments would be channelled through the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Justice. At the same time, issues requiring ratification of international conventions would receive executive attention.

“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 said.

Senator Akume described maritime justice as foundational to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the Blue Economy, noting that no investor would commit capital to Nigeria’s maritime sector without confidence in the country’s dispute-resolution mechanisms.

He said the Federal Government remains committed to building a predictable and professionally competent maritime ecosystem capable of positioning Nigeria as a competitive player in global shipping and trade.

The SGF also called for stronger collaboration among key maritime institutions, including the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigeria Customs Service, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Federal High Court.

He stressed that the agencies must work in harmony through information sharing and regulatory alignment to improve efficiency across the sector.

Akume commended the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for sustaining the International Maritime Seminar for Judges since 1995, describing it as one of Africa’s most respected judicial learning platforms.

He also welcomed judicial officers from Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Kenya and Liberia, expressing optimism that the seminar would deepen regional cooperation, harmonise business laws and promote maritime trade across Africa.

The three-day seminar brings together judges, maritime law experts and key stakeholders from across the continent to deliberate on contemporary issues in maritime law and dispute resolution.