Nigeria pushes maritime justice reforms to attract investment

Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, opened the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges in Abuja, stressing that swift, fair resolution of maritime disputes is essential for investor confidence, trade and the cost of living in Nigeria. He said a credible maritime justice system is “indispensable” and that delays in court decisions raise the price of imports and exports.

The government pledged to turn the seminar’s resolutions into policy, legislation and institutional reforms, coordinating data sharing and regulatory alignment among the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NIMASA, the Nigeria Port Authority, the Customs Service, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Federal High Court. Akume said the Office of the SGF will work with the National Assembly and the Ministry of Justice to enact needed changes and ensure ratification of international conventions.

Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere‑Ekun opened the event, and senior judges from Ghana, Sierra Leone, the Gambia, Kenya and Liberia attended, highlighting regional cooperation. Akume expressed hope that the forum will accelerate harmonisation of commercial and maritime law across West Africa, boosting intra‑African shipping and trade.