Prominent stakeholders in the environment and energy sectors have called on the Federal Government to demonstrate stronger political will and enact robust laws to address Nigeria’s lingering maritime pollution challenges, warning that the country risks worsening environmental and economic setbacks if urgent action is not taken.
Recently, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) cautioned four terminal operators over cases of environmental pollution within its facilities. The warning was handed down to them by the Apapa Port Complex Manager, Mr. Debo Lawal, during an interview in Lagos.
Lawal had described port administration as both demanding and rewarding, noting that managers must constantly deal with operational, environmental, and security issues that require proactive and solution-driven approaches. He stressed that while challenges are inevitable, none are insurmountable when tackled with adequate preparation and the right strategies.
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen environmental sustainability, he revealed that four terminals at the Apapa Port Complex had recently been issued warning letters for violating their lease terms and contributing to pollution within the port environment.
However, stakeholders who spoke with Shipping Position Daily last week believe that unless urgent reforms are put in place, maritime pollution will continue to threaten Nigeria’s coastal ecosystems, undermine fishing and tourism potential, and weaken the country’s standing in global climate and trade commitments.
Speaking with our correspondent last week, an environmentalist and climate justice campaigner with affiliations to Friends of the Earth Nigeria and Africa, Mr. Babawale Obayanju strongly criticized the government’s handling of pollution in Nigeria’s maritime environment. He argued that beyond lofty promises, very little has been done to clean-up the country’s waterways and reduce the harmful impacts of industrial and shipping activities.
According to him, achieving real progress in tackling maritime pollution requires more than policy declarations. “The government has not really shown commitment to the removal of maritime pollution. This goal demands not only political will and action, but also a fundamental shift in lifestyle towards prioritizing homegrown products. The more we depend on imported goods, the higher the environmental costs from shipping and transportation, which directly impacts our waters and ecosystems.” Obayanju noted
Obayanju further expressed dismay at what he described as conflicting signals in the government’s climate policies. He highlighted that while Nigeria has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions, it continues to approve environmentally harmful activities.
Adding his voice, Engr. Zakka Bala, a petroleum engineer and oil and gas analyst, noted that Nigeria has yet to demonstrate serious commitment to reducing maritime pollution. He stressed that the issue cannot be resolved through isolated efforts, but requires broad collaboration across government, industry, and local communities.
Bala emphasized that the government must go beyond policy pronouncements by enacting strong legislation, providing the right infrastructure, and offering support to indigenous ship owners
“Not much has been done in terms of concrete action against maritime pollution,” Bala said. “The maritime industry is central to our economy, and pollution within the sector threatens both livelihoods and national competitiveness. To build a sustainable maritime industry, we need collective efforts involving regulators, ship owners, and operators.
“If indigenous ship owners and vessels are empowered with adequate capacity, they will be in a better position to adopt international best practices, reduce emissions, and operate sustainably. This is how we can gradually build a cleaner and more competitive maritime sector,” Bala argued,
