Nigeria’s vast maritime industry, long neglected, has the potential to generate an estimated N7 trillion annually, presenting a significant opportunity for economic growth, according to the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
Speaking at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) during a Defence Week Course for Course 46 participants, Vice Admiral Ogalla, represented by Rear Admiral Gabriel Sunday Martins Adegboye of the Naval Headquarters in Abuja, noted the industry’s untapped potential.
The week-long lectures, delivered by heads of security agencies, focused on “Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Development.”
The CNS pointed to an outdated regulatory framework and restrictive regulations as key factors hindering both domestic and foreign investment in the maritime sector.
He also addressed the challenges of technology adoption and digital literacy within Nigerian businesses. Existing data reveals a low level of digital literacy and a skills gap among some business leaders and managers, impeding business transformation. While younger generations are increasingly tech-savvy, a large portion of the population lacks the necessary digital skills to participate fully in the digital economy, limiting the talent pool and hindering broader inclusion in digital transformation.
Cybersecurity concerns were also raised by the Naval Chief, who noted the lack of a comprehensive cybercrime framework and a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals. This absence leaves critical digital infrastructure vulnerable to exploitation.
“Nigeria’s digital infrastructure is still developing, and the country lacks the necessary defenses to prevent, detect, and respond to sophisticated cyber threats,” he stated.
To unlock the maritime industry’s potential, the CNS recommended several key actions for the federal government. These include the creation of a central digital hub for maritime operations and a review of the existing regulatory framework to incorporate the digitalization of all processes.
He specifically recommended that the Attorney General forward a bill to the National Assembly for this regulatory review, targeting passage by December 2025, with the aim of the President signing the revised framework into law by the same deadline.
The lectures at NIPSS also included presentations from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Correctional Service on their roles in ensuring a safe society, their internal objectives, and the challenges they face.
The NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, lectured on the “Application of Digital Technology in the Protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure: The Role of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.”
The discussions underscored the need to protect national critical assets and infrastructure, as well as to harness the digital framework within the Nigerian setting for national growth.
