Nigeria partners IMO on 2050 net-zero shipping plan
Nigeria has partnered with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) under the GreenVoyage 2050 Project to develop a comprehensive National Action Plan (NAP) aimed at decarbonising the country’s maritime sector and
Nigeria has partnered with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) under the GreenVoyage 2050 Project to develop a comprehensive National Action Plan (NAP) aimed at decarbonising the country’s maritime sector and aligning it with global net-zero targets.
The collaboration, unveiled at the IMO GreenVoyage 2050 national stakeholders’ workshop in Lagos, positions maritime decarbonisation as both a climate obligation and a competitiveness strategy for Africa’s largest economy.
Speaking at the workshop organised by Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, said the NAP would support the implementation of the IMO’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy while helping developing countries cut emissions from ships.
“The overall goal of the action plan is to support the implementation of the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy and assist developing countries in their efforts to reduce emissions from ships,” Oyetola said.
He was represented by the Deputy Director of Maritime Safety and Security at the ministry, John Ogwuche.
Oyetola said the partnership would give Nigeria access to the technical expertise and global networks needed to manage the complexities of the green transition, noting that shipping—while the backbone of global trade- faces mounting pressure to transform.
“The maritime industry remains the backbone of global trade, yet it faces unprecedented challenges that have necessitated a transformative shift towards sustainability, driven by the urgent need to mitigate climate change,” he said.
According to the minister, the NAP is designed to close the gap between international climate commitments and domestic implementation, especially as the IMO pushes towards net-zero emissions from international shipping “by or around 2050.”
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At the operational level, NIMASA described the plan as both urgent and strategic. The agency’s Director-General, Dr Dayo Moberola, represented by the Executive Director of Operations, Fatayi Adeyemi, said decarbonisation has emerged as one of the sector’s toughest challenges and biggest opportunities.
“Decarbonisation of Nigeria’s maritime industry has been one of the most pressing challenges and current transformative opportunities,” Moberola said.
He added that the NAP would be tailored to Nigeria’s realities while supporting wider economic objectives. “Through this collaboration, Nigeria is actively engaged in developing a comprehensive NAP for maritime decarbonisation and will be firmly rooted in the country’s unique national context, leveraging Nigeria’s strengths, addressing challenges, and aligning with the broader national development goals,” he said.
Moberola stressed that success would depend on coordinated input across technology, policy, finance, and skills development. “The success of the plan hinges on the diverse expertise, practical insights, and collaborative perspectives on technological advancements, policy frameworks, economic implications, capacity building needs, and innovative solutions that are viable and effective,” he said.
From a climate governance perspective, maritime decarbonisation is no longer optional, according to the National Council on Climate Change. Its Director-General, Dr Nkiruka Maduekwe, represented by Dr Tenioye Majekodunmi, warned that global shipping reforms are reshaping competition.
“Maritime decarbonisation has become a competitiveness imperative as global shipping undergoes structural changes,” Maduekwe said.
She called for a plan that is “ambitious, evidence-based, and finance-ready,” and aligned with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions, Energy Transition Plan, and long-term net-zero ambitions.
Maduekwe added that the GreenVoyage 2050 engagement extends beyond cutting emissions. “The initiative goes beyond emissions reduction to include modernising ports, strengthening regulatory frameworks, unlocking climate finance and positioning Nigeria as a regional leader in sustainable maritime transport,” she said.
For Nigeria’s maritime economy, the NAP is expected to serve as a policy anchor, linking global climate rules with local investment decisions as shipping moves toward a low-carbon future.
