As Nigeria celebrates 64 years of independence, one of the most glaring failures of postcolonial governance is the tragic collapse of the indigenous maritime industry. The Nigerian National Shipping Company (NNSL) was bequeathed by the colonial government as a robust national shipping company and was once a symbol of pride, sovereignty and economic promise. However, within just 25 years of independence, the NNSL was thoroughly mismanaged, ran aground, and came to reflect the widespread dysfunction plaguing our nation’s maritime sector.
At independence in 1960, Nigeria inherited a fleet of vessels that was not only operational but also in a position to support the emerging economy. NNSL was a testament to its vision to build a self-sufficient maritime power capable of transporting goods and goods in and out of its busy ports. However, today, 64 years later, the Nigerian shipping company is in a dire situation: it owns not a single ship out of over 5,000 ships that call at its ports every year. These ships owned by foreign interests control our waters, exporting oil, gas, and agricultural products and importing industrial products without any vested interest while we sit idly by. while enriching their countries.
This collapse is not due to a lack of potential or resources, but rather a systemic and widespread failure of leadership and vision. The Nigerian Maritime Authority and Safety Agency (NIMASA) was created with the primary mandate of promoting indigenous maritime transport, but it has failed spectacularly in this regard. Established to regulate and foster the growth of local shipping companies, NIMASA has instead become a bureaucratic organization more concerned with collecting revenue than fostering the growth of indigenous maritime capabilities. I am. The sad reality is that despite NIMASA’s vast resources and regulatory powers, Nigeria’s presence in the global shipping industry remains negligible.
To make matters worse, the federal government’s approach to indigenous maritime development was woefully inadequate. While successive governments have paid lip service to the need for a vibrant domestic shipping industry, their actions demonstrate a complete disregard for the strategic importance of this industry. The national shipping company was allowed to decline as successive governments failed to invest in its revitalization and even failed to establish policies to encourage the growth of indigenous companies that could compete in the international shipping sector.
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The creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by the current government was seen by many as a step in the right direction. However, almost a year after its establishment, there has been little improvement in the situation of indigenous maritime transport. The ministry has yet to make significant progress toward addressing core issues plaguing the sector, including lack of infrastructure, access to finance, and policy support. The Nigerian government seems content to allow foreign-owned vessels to dominate our waters and profit from our resources while we remain passive spectators.
The fallout from this failure is far-reaching. Nigeria does not have a strong domestic carrier and is at the mercy of foreign carriers, who pay exorbitant fees to transport goods. This erodes the trade balance, weakens economic independence and limits job creation in a sector that could employ tens of thousands of Nigerians. Furthermore, the absence of a healthy maritime industry is hampering our ability to tap into the blue economy, a sector that, if properly leveraged, can contribute billions of dollars to GDP.
When considering this tragic decline, we must ask: What is the path forward? First, the government must get serious about developing the indigenous shipping industry. This requires more than the creation of ministries. A focused strategic plan is needed that includes investment in shipbuilding infrastructure, access to credit for Nigerian shipowners, and a policy framework that fosters local participation in international trade. NIMASA needs to refocus to fulfill its original mandate, not as a revenue-generating institution, but as a true promoter of Nigeria’s maritime interests.
We must also recognize the strategic importance of having our own domestic carriers. It is unthinkable for a country with the economic potential of Nigeria not to have its own fleet. Participation in international trade movements is not just about economic benefits, but also about sovereignty, security and our place in the global maritime community.
The era of complacency is over. The federal government must act now to revive the dream of an Indigenous maritime industry. Our future prosperity depends on it. Failure to do so will only deepen Nigeria’s dependence on foreign powers, continuing the cycle of dependence and missed opportunities that has plagued our maritime sector for far too long.
