Nigeria will on Thursday, September 25, 2025, join the global maritime community to commemorate this year’s World Maritime Day in Lagos. The event is being organized under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
The theme for the 2025 celebration is “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.” It is designed to highlight the shared responsibility of humanity to use the ocean in a sustainable manner while safeguarding its resources for future generations.
The event will also draw attention to the transgenerational importance of ocean preservation and the economic opportunities inherent in maritime resources. According to organizers, it offers a platform for dialogue, policy reflection, and renewed commitment to marine protection.
Speaking ahead of the commemoration, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, underscored the importance of collaboration between the government and citizens. He said Nigeria must harness its maritime assets in a way that benefits the economy while preserving the environment.
Oyetola stressed that the marine and blue economy holds vast potential for Nigeria’s growth, but warned that without sustainable practices, such opportunities could be lost. He urged stakeholders to see the ocean not just as a source of livelihood but also as a heritage that must be preserved.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) also lent its voice to the commemoration. In his message, the Secretary-General of the IMO, Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, spoke of the essential role the ocean plays in regulating the global climate, sustaining biodiversity, and enabling international trade.
Dominguez warned that human activities are placing enormous strain on the oceans. He listed threats such as pollution, rising temperatures, acidification, and overfishing as key issues driving marine ecosystems into decline.
According to him, the damage caused by human activity also places a responsibility on humanity to take corrective action. He argued that urgent cooperation is required at both local and global levels to mitigate the dangers.
“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 declared in his statement.
The IMO Secretary-General emphasized that protecting marine resources is not an option but an obligation. He said nations must adopt sustainable practices to ensure that the oceans continue to support life and commerce.
Organizers of the event in Nigeria confirmed that the Lagos gathering will bring together key stakeholders across the maritime sector. Participants are expected from government, private industry, academia, and civil society.
The discussions will center on how Nigeria can maximize the opportunities available in the maritime space while fulfilling its duty to preserve ocean health. Issues of policy, innovation, and community engagement will be on the front burner.
The commemoration will also serve as an opportunity for Nigeria to align more closely with global standards on marine sustainability and ocean governance. Officials say the country’s growing focus on the blue economy makes the event particularly significant.
Observers note that with climate change, rising sea levels, and economic pressures on fishing communities, the theme of this year’s World Maritime Day is especially relevant for coastal states like Nigeria.
The celebration is being coordinated by the Mobilization and Publicity Sub-Committee of the 2025 World Maritime Day in Nigeria, chaired by Hajia Lami Tumaka, fnipr. The committee says it is confident the event will foster renewed commitment to safeguarding ocean resources for both present and future generations.
