The administration of maritime justice remains indispensable to commercial certainty, investor confidence and sustainable development within the blue economy
By Moses Okorie
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called for stronger legal safeguards, efficient dispute resolution and greater judicial cooperation across jurisdictions to support the growth of the global maritime sector and unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.
She made the call on Wednesday in Abuja while declaring open the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges, organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI).
The three-day seminar brought together judges, maritime regulators, legal practitioners and participants from several African countries to advance maritime jurisprudence and strengthen judicial capacity in the sector.
In her keynote address, Kekere-Ekun described maritime law as a critical pillar of global commerce, noting that almost 90 per cent of international trade is conducted through the world’s oceans.
She said Nigeria’s vast maritime resources present enormous opportunities for economic growth, but stressed that realising those opportunities depends on a legal system that is efficient, predictable and trusted by investors.
According to the CJN, legal certainty remains one of the strongest drivers of investment, adding that the prompt, impartial and effective resolution of maritime disputes is essential to boosting investor confidence and supporting sustainable economic development.
She urged judicial officers to continually update their knowledge to keep pace with emerging legal issues arising from technological innovation, environmental regulation, digital trade and evolving international maritime obligations.
“The administration of maritime justice remains indispensable to commercial certainty, investor confidence and sustainable development within the blue economy,” she said.
She added that dialogue and cooperation among judges across different jurisdictions would promote consistency in interpreting international maritime conventions and improve the handling of increasingly complex cross-border disputes.
“Every well-reasoned maritime judgment reinforces confidence in the legal system and strengthens the institutional framework upon which global commerce depends,” she stated.
The CJN observed that climate change, maritime security challenges, autonomous vessels and digital shipping technologies are rapidly transforming the maritime industry, requiring courts to strike a balance between commercial interests, environmental sustainability and international legal obligations.
She encouraged judges to deepen collaboration, exchange experiences and adopt comparative legal approaches capable of addressing emerging maritime disputes with professionalism and consistency.
Kekere-Ekun described the annual seminar as an important platform for continuous judicial education, policy engagement and the development of coherent maritime jurisprudence across Africa.
She expressed optimism that the deliberations would produce practical recommendations capable of strengthening maritime adjudication, enhancing regional judicial cooperation and reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a credible destination for maritime investment.
Also speaking, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, described maritime justice as a national economic imperative rather than a sector-specific concern.
He said the efficient resolution of maritime disputes is fundamental to trade, investment and good governance, warning that prolonged litigation undermines commercial activities and discourages investors.
“When maritime claims are delayed, trade suffers, investor confidence declines and the cost of doing business increases, with ordinary Nigerians ultimately bearing the consequences,” he said.
Akume maintained that a credible, efficient and well-informed maritime justice system is vital to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s blue economy and advancing the country’s economic diversification agenda.
He assured participants of the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing practical recommendations from the seminar to strengthen maritime justice and institutional reforms.
The SGF noted that maritime commerce involves multiple government institutions, making effective coordination among regulators, ministries and the judiciary essential for creating a predictable business environment.
According to him, agencies responsible for ports administration, shipping regulation, maritime safety, customs operations and judicial adjudication must work collaboratively to improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global maritime industry.
He added that the government would continue to promote inter-agency cooperation to ensure that recommendations from the seminar translate into legislative reforms, stronger institutions and improved justice delivery for stakeholders in the maritime sector.
Akume also welcomed judicial delegations from Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, describing regional judicial cooperation as critical to harmonising commercial laws and facilitating maritime trade across Africa.
He said the enduring partnership among African judicial institutions strengthens legal certainty and promotes the confidence required for cross-border shipping and commercial transactions.
Describing the seminar as one of Africa’s leading platforms for judicial learning and maritime law development, Akume urged participants to ensure that the outcomes of the conference result in practical reforms that benefit businesses, investors and port users across the continent.
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