By Atoyebi Nike
Nigeria will join the global maritime community this week to commemorate the 2025 World Maritime Day, themed “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.” The event will spotlight shared responsibilities in ensuring the sustainable use of oceans for present and future generations.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, stressed the importance of citizen, government cooperation in unlocking the vast potential of Nigeria’s maritime domain.
“Ocean resources carry transgenerational importance. We must safeguard them while recognising the immense opportunities they hold for humanity,” the minister said, urging stronger collaboration to maximise economic gains while protecting marine ecosystems.
In his message to mark the day, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, highlighted the ocean’s critical role in regulating the climate, sustaining life, and driving global trade. But he warned that human-induced pressures such as pollution, warming, acidification, and overfishing are straining marine ecosystems to breaking point.
“While human activity has caused the damage, it also holds the key to restoring the ocean, presenting both a responsibility and an opportunity for a healthier, safer future,” Dominguez said, calling for urgent global cooperation to curb pollution, protect biodiversity, and adopt sustainable maritime practices.
The Nigerian commemoration is expected to gather key stakeholders from across the maritime sector to reflect on opportunities within the oceans and reinforce commitments to sustainable use.
