Nigeria: Experts Urge Dedicated Coastal Resilience Fund Proposal

• Experts at the 4th Ehingbeti Maritime Hub Summit in Lagos called for a dedicated Coastal Resilience Fund for Nigeria.
• The proposed fund aims to support coastal protection, infrastructure development, and community empowerment across the nation.
• Jean Anishere, SAN, emphasized the necessity of effective governance and a robust legal framework to underpin Nigeria's blue economy.
• Recommendations included exploring international financing, improving waste management, and increasing private-sector participation in marine-based enterprises.
• Lagos State affirmed its commitment to an inclusive blue economy development approach, while inland waterways were identified as a key investment opportunity.

The consensus among participants underscored the critical need for such a mechanism to address existing infrastructure deficits and enhance the living standards of coastal populations across the nation.

Experts and stakeholders convened recently in Lagos for the 4th Ehingbeti Maritime Hub Summit, where a significant call was made for the establishment of a dedicated Coastal Resilience Fund. This proposed fund aims to bolster coastal protection initiatives, drive essential infrastructure development, and empower communities situated along Nigeria's extensive coastline. The consensus among participants underscored the critical need for such a mechanism to address existing infrastructure deficits and enhance the living standards of coastal populations across the nation. Jean Anishere, SAN, who serves as the President of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria, delivered a keynote address emphasizing that a specialized financing vehicle is indispensable for these objectives.

Anishere further urged Nigeria to actively pursue international financing avenues, including climate funds, development banks, and multilateral organizations, to scale up efforts in coastal resilience and community development. She highlighted that sustained investment in this area would not only strengthen vital infrastructure but also safeguard livelihoods and cultivate an environment where coastal communities can meaningfully participate in the burgeoning blue economy. The discussions at the summit clearly articulated the vision for a robust financial framework to underpin Nigeria's coastal future, making the Nigeria dedicated coastal resilience fund proposal a central theme.

Central to the discussions at the Ehingbeti Maritime Hub Summit was the imperative for a robust legal and governance framework to underpin Nigeria's blue economy. Jean Anishere, SAN, stressed that effective governance is non-negotiable for the sector's success, advocating for the establishment of precise legal and institutional conditions. These conditions are deemed essential to foster innovation, attract investment, and ensure the sustainable exploitation of Nigeria's rich marine resources. She called for the development of a regulatory system that offers both certainty and security for investors, while simultaneously being flexible enough to encourage innovation.

Furthermore, this proposed regulatory environment must be environmentally responsible to protect marine ecosystems and inclusive enough to ensure that coastal populations directly benefit from blue economy initiatives. Anishere identified security, sustainability, and governance as the three critical pillars upon which the future of Nigeria's blue economy must be built. Her recommendations extended to practical measures, including the improvement of waste-management infrastructure, the promotion of sustainable fishing practices, the implementation of recycling education, and the initiation of environmental stewardship programs specifically designed to benefit coastal communities. The emphasis on a comprehensive Nigeria blue economy legal framework signals a strategic approach to long-term maritime development.

Beyond direct funding, the summit also explored broader strategies for unlocking Nigeria's maritime potential, with a strong emphasis on private sector engagement. Jean Anishere, SAN, advocated for increased private-sector participation in key areas such as blue tourism, the development of resilient infrastructure, and marine-based enterprises. She suggested that this could be achieved through appropriate incentives, streamlined regulations, and the formation of public-private partnerships, thereby contributing significantly to coastal protection funding Nigeria. Representing Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mr. Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, affirmed the state's commitment to an inclusive approach for blue economy development.

Mr. Bajulaiye noted that while the Ehingbeti event has historical ties to Lagos Island, the state's blue economy agenda is designed to encompass communities throughout Lagos. Governor Sanwo-Olu encouraged all participants to collaborate on a communiqué that would advance Lagos State's blue economy objectives. Olaitan Williams, the Convener of the Ehingbeti Maritime Hub and Founder of the Ocean Ambassadors Foundation, highlighted that the Hub, established in 2023, aims to reconnect with Lagos's historical maritime roots. She underscored Ehingbeti's significance in the city's evolution from an early trading hub to modern-day Eko. Williams also identified Nigeria's inland waterways as a "low-hanging fruit" for the blue economy, advocating for greater investment and stronger legal protection for investors in this sector. She pointed out that Nigeria's estimated 10,000 kilometres of waterways cannot realize their full economic potential if they remain largely unnavigable, underscoring the need for a comprehensive maritime infrastructure fund Nigeria. Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, Chairman of the NIWA Governing Board, presided over the occasion.

Lawyers advising clients in Nigeria's maritime sector, environmental law, or project finance should monitor the discussions around the proposed Coastal Resilience Fund and the evolving legal and regulatory frameworks for the blue economy. These initiatives signal potential future investment opportunities, compliance requirements, and policy shifts impacting coastal development and marine resource exploitation.

Source: Reporting based on insights from the 4th Ehingbeti Maritime Hub Summit.