TOWARDS EFFECTIVE MARITIME SECURITY IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Maritime security has become one of the most critical issues confronting Nigeria’s maritime industry, particularly in Southern Nigeria, where the country’s coastline, major seaports, offshore oil installations, and inland waterways are located. Despite several legislative, institutional, and operational reforms, including the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act 2019 and the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure (Deep Blue Project), maritime crimes such as piracy, sea robbery, illegal bunkering, oil theft, smuggling, kidnapping of seafarers, illegal fishing, and environmental crimes continue to pose serious threats. The paper adopted a doctrinal research methodology by examining domestic and international laws, judicial decisions, and legal scholars’ opinions. The paper found that though piracy incidents have declined significantly in recent years in Southern Nigeria, sustaining these gains requires stronger institutions, effective law enforcement, improved regional cooperation, and greater community participation.