The Admiralty Lawyers’ Society of Nigeria (ALSN) has urged the Federal government to activate all necessary machinery to achieve its plans for the development of the country’s maritime sector.

The society made the call to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary and commended the Federal government for creating the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

According to the lawyers, the creation of the ministry represented a significant step towards deepening the development of the maritime sector and positioning Nigeria within the comity of maritime nations.

The society also commended the government’s plans to develop six new deep seaports in Ibom, Akwa Ibom State; Bakassi, Cross River State; Agge, Bayelsa State; Gateway, Ogun State; Ondo State; and Bonny, Rivers State.

It further welcomed plans to renovate or reinvigorate existing eastern ports and decongest the Lagos ports, while creating an integrated maritime logistics network to facilitate maritime commerce and develop a globally competitive port system.

The society declared that the successful implementation of the initiatives would make Nigeria a truly international maritime hub and significantly enhance international trade.

It added that the development could boost national income and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while creating more employment opportunities.

According to the lawyers, increased employment opportunities would have a consequential effect on social challenges, including kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and other social vices.

The society, therefore, called on the Federal government to activate all necessary machinery to achieve the stated goals and ensure that the right personnel were appointed to the appropriate authorities to give effect to its intentions.

It also urged the government to strengthen the country’s procurement and audit systems to ensure that corruption and administrative bottlenecks do not frustrate the implementation of the initiatives.

The lawyers also stressed the importance of capacity building in the admiralty sector, urging individuals and corporate organisations to invest extensively in developing professional skills.

The society added that capacity building would ultimately help prevent capital flight.

As part of its efforts to promote capacity development, the society disclosed that it would hold a blue economy course in Port Harcourt from October 27 to 29, 2026.

It urged both lawyers and non-lawyers to take advantage of the training to prepare for opportunities expected to emerge as the Federal government begins implementing its blue economy plans.