Chief of Naval Staff laments neglect of maritime industry

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogala, has stated that the Nigerian maritime industry has long been neglected, despite its vast potential to generate revenue, saying that with an estimated annual earning capacity of N7 trillion, the sector presents a significant opportunity for economic growth.

Vice-Admiral Ogala stated this in his presentation while delivering a lecture ‘Digital Economy and Modern Maritime Operations: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities’, during a Defence Week by the Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS Kuru, Plateau State.

The Chief of Naval Staff highlighted that the outdated framework, coupled with restrictive regulations, creates a challenging environment for both domestic and foreign investment.

He narrated that the existing data on technology adoption and use of digital strategies in Nigerian businesses revealed a low level of literacy and a digital skill gap among some business leaders and managers in Nigeria to transform businesses. While the younger generations are increasingly tech-savvy, a substantial portion of the population lacks the essential digital skills necessary to participate in the digital economy.

According to him, the disparity limits the talent pool and hinders the borderline inclusion of the population in the digital transformation.

On cyber security, the Naval Chief pointed out that the absence of a comprehensive cybercrime framework, coupled with a shortage of skilled cyber security professionals, has further exacerbated the vulnerability, adding that the implications are particularly concerning given the lack of a robust cyber security framework in Nigeria, which leaves critical digital infrastructure vulnerable to exploitation.

He said, “Nigeria’s digital infrastructure is still developing, and the country lacks the necessary defences to prevent, detect, and respond to sophisticated cyber threats.”

In his recommendations, the Chief of Naval Staff advised the federal government to create a central digital hub for maritime operations in Nigeria and review existing regulatory framework in the maritime industry to include digitalisation of all processes.

He further recommended that the Attorney General forward a bill to the National Assembly for review of the existing regulatory framework in the maritime industry to include digitalisation of processes by March 2025. The National Assembly to review and pass regulatory frameworks for digitalisation of processes in the maritime industry by December 2025.

“The President to sign into law a review regulatory framework that includes digitalisation of processes by regulators of Nigeria maritime by December 2025,” he said.

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