The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called for strong legal protection, an efficient justice system and collaboration across judicial jurisdictions to protect and enhance the maritime sector’s growth globally.

She stated this at the opening of the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges, organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The three-day seminar brought together judicial officers, maritime regulators, legal practitioners and participants from several African countries to strengthen maritime jurisprudence.

Mrs Kekere-Ekun described maritime law as one of the principal pillars supporting global commerce, noting that nearly 90 per cent of international trade moves through the world’s oceans.

She said Nigeria’s maritime resources positioned the country to benefit significantly from the blue economy, noting that its sustainable growth depended on an efficient and trusted legal system.

The CJN said legal certainty remained one of the strongest incentives for investment, stressing that the prompt, impartial and effective resolution of maritime disputes would strengthen investor confidence and economic development.

She added that maritime judges must continually develop expertise to address emerging legal issues arising from technological innovation, environmental regulation, digital commerce and evolving international maritime obligations.

“The administration of maritime justice remains indispensable to commercial certainty, investor confidence and sustainable development within the blue economy.

“Judicial dialogue and cooperation across jurisdictions strengthen consistency in interpreting international maritime instruments and resolving increasingly complex disputes.

“Every well-reasoned maritime judgment reinforces confidence in the legal system and strengthens the institutional framework upon which global commerce depends,” she said.

Mrs Kekere-Ekun said climate change, maritime security, autonomous vessels and digital shipping continued to reshape maritime commerce, requiring courts to balance commercial certainty with environmental protection and evolving international obligations.

She urged judges across jurisdictions to deepen collaboration, exchange experiences and adopt comparative approaches capable of addressing increasingly sophisticated maritime disputes with consistency and professionalism.

According to her, seminars such as the annual maritime forum provide valuable opportunities for continuous judicial education, policy engagement and the development of coherent maritime jurisprudence across Africa.

She expressed confidence that the deliberations would generate practical recommendations to strengthen maritime adjudication, deepen regional cooperation and advance Nigeria’s reputation as a credible maritime investment destination.

Also speaking, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said maritime justice was no longer a sectoral issue but a national economic priority.

According to him, the efficient adjudication of maritime disputes remains critical to trade, investment and governance.

“When maritime claims are delayed, trade suffers, investor confidence declines and the cost of doing business increases, with ordinary Nigerians ultimately bearing the consequences.

“A credible, efficient and knowledgeable maritime justice system is foundational to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s blue economy and sustaining economic diversification.

“The Federal Government will support implementation of practical recommendations from this seminar to strengthen maritime justice and institutional reforms,” the SGF said.

Akume said maritime commerce cut across several government institutions, requiring effective collaboration among regulators, ministries and the judiciary to deliver a predictable and efficient maritime business environment.

He said agencies responsible for ports, shipping regulation, maritime safety, customs administration and judicial adjudication must work in harmony to strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness within the global maritime industry.

Mr Akume said the government would continue to coordinate inter-agency collaboration to ensure that the seminar recommendations were translated into legislative reforms, institutional improvements and better justice delivery for maritime stakeholders.

He welcomed the judicial delegations from Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia, stating that regional judicial cooperation would promote harmonised business laws and facilitate maritime trade across Africa.

“The enduring collaboration among judicial institutions strengthens legal certainty and promotes confidence necessary for cross-border shipping and commercial activities.

“This seminar has become one of Africa’s foremost platforms for judicial learning, maritime law development and institutional cooperation.

“The outcomes of these deliberations must extend beyond conference halls into practical reforms benefiting businesses, investors and port users,” he added.

 (NAN)