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The Minister of State for Defence is Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has pledged continued support for hydrographic capacity building, investment in technology, and stronger regional ties to ensure that no part of our waters remains uncharted, unsafe, or unsustainable.
Matawalle made the pledge today at the closing ceremony of the landmark event in commemoration of the 2025 World Hydrography Day and the inaugural West African Hydrographic Summit, with the theme "Seabed Mapping: Enabling Ocean Action"
He commended the work being done by the National Hydrographic Agency. Since its establishment in 2021, it has taken giant strides to place Nigeria on the map as a credible hydrographic nation active in the engagement and promotion of hydrography.
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He also announced the formal establishment of the International Centre for Electronic Navigational Charts West Africa Regional Office & Training Centre to be hosted by the National Hydrographic Agency here in Abuja.
He said that by this strategic partnership, the National Hydrographic Agency of Nigeria has joined four other global regional offices in the US, UK, Australia and Brazil.
This move positions Nigeria to tap into the 90 million dollar global market for Electronic Navigational Charts, potentially generating between 9 million and 12 million dollars in annual revenue from chart validation, distribution, and revenue management for international shipping clients.
"We are proud to support your efforts as you align with the International Hydrographic Organisation's goals and drive innovation across West Africa.
"Today's event is not just about mapping the seabed; it is about shaping the future of our oceans. It is about creating tools, data, and partnerships that enable real ocean action: better decision-making, cleaner coastlines, safer navigation, and sustainable exploitation of marine resources.
He urged that Nigeria must leverage its hydrographic capacity not only to secure its waters but to fuel its economic transformation.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Hydrographer of the Federation and CEO National Hydrographic Agency, Rear Admiral Ayo Olugbode revealed that in the last year alone the National Hydrographic Agency (NHA) has expanded its chart production capabilities, deepened technical expertise, and strengthened collaborative ties with the Nigerian Navy, academia, and the private sector.
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"In particular, we have promoted unbroken bilateral and international engagements with other nations and international partners such as the International Centre for Electronic Navigational Charts (IC-ENC) and the International Board on Standards and Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors and Nautical Cartographers (IBS).
"We are equally committed to the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by promoting hydrographic initiatives that enable safer shipping routes, enhance regional trade facilitation, and position Africa as a competitive player in the global maritime economy.
"As hydrographic data becomes increasingly central to maritime safety, transportation and trade, the NHA stands ready to contribute to a more connected and economically empowered West Africa," he said
Rear Admiral Olugbode added that these are not isolated aspirations. They are part of Nigeria's broader commitment to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Through hydrographic programmes, we align ourselves with Sustainable Development Goal 14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans and marine resources for development.
"We also take note of the momentum created by the recently concluded 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, which re-emphasised the need for concrete action, data-driven policy, and international cooperation," he added.
He stressed that hydrography today is not confined to the survey vessel or the drawing table. It now influences coastal urban planning, marine biodiversity conservation, fisheries management, and disaster risk reduction.
"It underpins our Blue Economy and informs maritime domain awareness. In short, hydrography is a cornerstone of our collective ocean future. And that future depends not only on technology, but on people.
"To our young students and professionals in the room, I say: your generation holds the compass. The ocean is calling for explorers, thinkers, and problem-solvers. Your curiosity and creativity will be the driving force behind the next wave of innovation in this vital discipline," he advised
In his goodwill message, the Director, International Hydrographic Organisation, Rear Adm. Luigi Sinapi, urge participants to see entrepreneurs not only as a tool, but as a catalyst for achieving the sustainable development goals, from clean energy to life below water, from resilient infrastructure to climate action.
He said he spoke not just to celebrate the global progress, but to recognise Nigeria as a regional champion. Nigeria's maritime domain, rich in complexity and opportunity, spans thousands of kilometres of coastline, hosts vital oil and gas assets, underpins vibrant fisheries, and is central to shifting routes across the Gulf of India.
"But more than its geography, it is Nigeria's leadership in regional hydrographic capacity, training, and data coordination that makes it a pillar for West Africa. Your active engagement in the IHO, your development of hydrographic capacity, and your strategic vision for the Blue Economy have positioned Nigeria as a leader, a model, and a bridge builder between the two.
"We are all united in global needs and global conditions. The task is not only to improve the unique national peculiarities of Nigeria's maritime territory, rapid coastal organisation, seldomly industrialised and delta environments, the need for up-to-date electromagnetic models for the safety of offshore operations and environmental management.
"These are not just tangible challenges. They are shared by many nations. by many nations in the region, and the IHO is committed to working with you to tackle them to life. The IHO's initiatives, such as capacity-building programs across the region, the promotion of S-400 standards, and the Empower Women in Agility project, as an essential investment in inclusivity in the future for sports, are all designed to support local ownership of ILO knowledge, amplify regional voices, and drive forward our shared agenda.
He noted this summit is more than a meeting. It is a reminder that geography begins at all, but its impact is global. We must act regionally by investing in training, partnership, and data sharing, and we must think globally by aligning our work with the IHO's strategic goals and goals.
The IHO is an international climate and ocean agenda, raising awareness among policymakers, coastal communities, and youth in Africa is a priority. Hydrocarb is no longer an Indian science; it is a tool of empowerment. Let us make it visible, accessible, and valuable across the world and in Europe.
Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross Rivers, ably represented by Dr Peter Odili in his goodwill message, said that as a coastal state, Cross River State recognises the indispensable value of accurate sub-bed mapping in unlocking the vast potential of our blue economy.
He said the collaboration between the Cross River State government, the National Hydrographic Agency, the Nigerian Navy and other stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime sector exemplifies the power of partnership in advancing ocean investment.
"We are particularly grateful to the National Hydrographic Agency and the Nigerian Navy for the recent conduct of the Bakassi Deep Seaport Survey, a landmark initiative that underscores the importance of precise hydrographic data in driving infrastructure, cultural development and regional trade.
"This effort aligns with our vision to position Crosse River State as a hub for maritime excellence and economic transformation. Submission is urgent for its trials. In producing business tasks, such as the approach to Lagos and its commitment to integrating the cutting edge of hydrographic solutions into the Nigerian maritime strategy.
He reaffirmed his commitment to resolve, to harness the ocean's potential responsibly for the present and future generations. Crossover State remains steadfast in supporting the initiative and promoting maritime safety, environmental sustainability and equitable resource management.
Also in his goodwill message,, the Obong of Calabar, Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu thanked the National Hydrographic Agency of Nigeria for always undertaking these waters, marked not only a technical achievement but also a spiritual moment of reconnection.
He urged them to consult local knowledge, invest in ocean literacy for the youth and build a blue economy that is inclusive, respectful and wise.
He pledge the continuous support and partnership of the African Kingdom in all efforts that enhance maritime safety, Regional cooperation and the protection of our sacred oceans. May your deliberations be fruitful.
He said the recent hydrographic, geophysical, and geotechnical solutions of the EADB project will contribute to supporting the fight for the equilibrium and gesundheit of the EADB. The resources are still in your possession.
"The ancient maps of the 1840s still hold their reverence in our activities, now find their modern errors in the detailed seabed mappings being unveiled today. We are witnessing continuity not just of navigation but of memory. We must remember that for my people and for many coastal communities in Africa, waterways are more than channels for ships.
"They are sacred paths. They are driven by ancestors, nourished by deities such as Anansa of the Eritrean, and honoured in our songs, our festivals and our stories. To touch the sea is in some sense to listen again to the voices of history. This is why I deeply commend the National Hydrographic Agency, the Nigerian Hydrographic Society.
"And our international partners for their dedication to this course. Their work is not merely technical; it is cultural. Cultural diplomacy, economic foresight and environmental stewardship rolled into one. As we embrace innovation and data-driven solutions for sustainable development, let us also remember the people whose lives are bound to these waters.
The highlight of the closing ceremony of the 2025 World Hydrography Day and the inaugural West African Hydrographic Summit is the unveiling of the New Product by the Special Guest of Honour, alongside other dignitaries, led by the Chief Host.
At the end of the World Hydrography Day celebration 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria, the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office (NNHO), National Hydrographic Agency, unveiled several new products and initiatives to support the nation's blue economy. The event also highlighted advancements in hydrographic surveying technology and the importance of hydrographic data for maritime safety and sustainable development.
