Stakeholders push maritime reforms to unlock trade, lower cost of goods
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime and logistics ecosystem have identified improved port efficiency, stronger supply chain systems and investment in blue economy opportunities as critical levers for reducing business costs and
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime and logistics ecosystem have identified improved port efficiency, stronger supply chain systems and investment in blue economy opportunities as critical levers for reducing business costs and unlocking export growth in the country.
This is just as the Institute of Maritime Studies, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), opened its 3rd International Conference on Wednesday.
The two-day conference, themed “From Global Maritime Regulations to Tangible Actions: Driving Sustainable Operations in the African Maritime Sector,” drew academics, regulators, industry players and development partners to examine how maritime reforms can translate into real economic value, particularly for emerging markets like Nigeria.
Beyond regulatory discussions, the conference took a strong business-oriented turn, with participants stressing that inefficiencies in Nigeria’s maritime system continue to erode competitiveness across sectors, especially manufacturing and agriculture.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Mark Okoye II, whose address was delivered by the Executive Director, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development, said maritime efficiency remains central to economic transformation.
He noted that while Nigeria accounts for a significant share of cargo throughput in West Africa, performance challenges—rather than positioning—are limiting the country’s ability to maximise maritime advantages.
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“Logistics costs in Nigeria can account for as much as 30 to 40 per cent of the final cost of goods. This significantly erodes competitiveness. Port dwell times also stretch far beyond global benchmarks, creating delays that ripple across the entire economy,” he said.
Okoye explained that improving maritime linkages would directly reduce the cost of doing business, expand market access and boost the viability of industries in the South East, a region not traditionally viewed as maritime but deeply integrated into trade and production value chains.
According to him, the real opportunity lies in building efficient systems that connect production centres to export corridors through coordinated logistics, rather than focusing narrowly on ports and shipping.
He further highlighted the implications for agriculture, noting that despite employing a large share of Nigeria’s population, the sector contributes minimally to export earnings due to weak logistics and infrastructure gaps.
“With post-harvest losses estimated at 30 to 50 per cent in some value chains, this is not just an agricultural issue but a logistics and systems failure. Investments in cold chain infrastructure and efficient transport networks can significantly change this narrative,” he added.
The SEDC boss also pointed to the growing potential of the global blue economy, valued at over $1.5 trillion annually, describing it as an underutilised frontier for Nigeria. He said inland waterways, aquaculture and related industries could help reduce the country’s dependence on fish imports while enhancing food security and creating jobs.
Participants at the conference also emphasised that translating maritime regulations into measurable outcomes remains Africa’s biggest challenge, with many agreeing that policy frameworks already exist but are not effectively implemented.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, underscored the need for practical, locally adaptable solutions that bridge the gap between international maritime standards and on-ground realities.
“The real test lies not in the existence of these frameworks, but in their domestication, enforcement and measurable impact, particularly within developing maritime economies like Nigeria,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to prioritise innovation, environmental sustainability and cross-sector collaboration, noting that global market access is increasingly tied to compliance with environmental standards.
The director of the institute, Prof. Florence Orabueze, called for urgent action to bridge the gap between maritime regulations and their implementation across Africa, stressing that the sector’s full potential can only be realised through practical, measurable outcomes.
Prof. Orabueze described the conference as more than an academic gathering, noting that it represents a convergence of ideas and a reaffirmation of the maritime sector’s critical role in global commerce and sustainable development.
She emphasised that the institute was established to bridge the gap between theory and practice, as well as law and policy, adding that it has grown into a centre of excellence driven by interdisciplinary collaboration and practical relevance.
Highlighting the Institute’s achievements, she said it has developed a robust academic framework covering maritime law, business, logistics, environmental governance, tourism, engineering and blue economy studies, adding that the Institute has also expanded its postgraduate programmes and produced graduates equipped with both theoretical knowledge and industry-relevant skills to navigate the complexities of the maritime sector.
The conference also highlighted the importance of aligning academia, government and industry to drive execution, attract private investment and build resilient maritime systems capable of sustaining long-term growth.
