NMLA Gives National Assembly May 2027 Deadline to Clear Maritime Bills
The Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) has given the National Assembly a May 2027 deadline to clear all pending maritime bills before the expiration of its tenure, warning that further delays could undermine efforts to translate Nigeria‘s maritime policies and international commitments into effective laws and enforcement. The association made the call in a statement by its President, Mr. Mike Igbokwe, SAN, to mark the 2026 World Maritime Day, observed under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) theme, “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.”
The NMLA emphasized that the theme underscores the need to move beyond the negotiation and ratification of maritime conventions to their domestication, implementation, and enforcement. The association noted that global shipping is facing growing demands relating to safety, security, decarbonisation, and technological change, stressing that international standards alone cannot address the challenges.
NMLA Demands Faster Treaty Domestication and Stronger Maritime Law Enforcement
The NMLA urged the federal government to accelerate the domestication of outstanding international maritime treaties and adequately resource enforcement agencies. The association stressed that Nigeria‘s maritime progress must be measured by practical outcomes in safety, security, seafarers’ welfare, environmental protection, and the efficiency of ports and supply chains.
The NMLA also highlighted the need for stronger maritime law enforcement, citing Nigeria‘s existing maritime framework, including the Nigerian Ports Authority Act, Cabotage Act 2003, Merchant Shipping Act 2007, Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act 2019, and Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act.
NMLA Calls for Practical Outcomes in Maritime Excellence
The association emphasized that excellence must be visible in safer voyages, protected seafarers, cleaner waters, efficient cargo movement, and confidence in the enforcement of maritime rights. The NMLA noted that Nigeria‘s membership of the IMO Council for the 2026-2027 biennium offers an opportunity for the country to contribute to global maritime policy and decision-making.
However, the association argued that this international role should be matched by stronger implementation at home. According to the NMLA, Nigeria‘s voice would carry greater weight if treaties it had signed or ratified were promptly domesticated and effectively implemented and monitored by relevant institutions.
The NMLA statement concluded by emphasizing the need for practical outcomes in maritime excellence, citing ongoing work by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on ship-to-ship transfer and cargo-related regulations, ship finance and ship registration, as well as its collaboration with the Nigerian Navy in securing the Gulf of Guinea.
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