The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to achieving net-zero shipping emissions in line with the International Maritime Organization 2023 GHG Strategy. He added that the country has taken a decisive step toward maritime decarbonisation.

Speaking at the IMO/GreenVoyage2050 National Stakeholder Workshop in Lagos on Tuesday, Oyetola said the development of the National Maritime Decarbonisation Action Plan would align Nigeria with global climate goals while strengthening the sector’s competitiveness.

The former Osun State governor, who was represented at the event by the Director of Maritime Safety and Security, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, John Ogwuche, said, “The initiative will support emissions reduction in shipping through technical collaboration and stakeholder engagement.”

He urged shipowners, port authorities, oil and gas operators, ministries, departments, and agencies to drive collective action, saying, “Nigeria must seize emerging opportunities in the global green maritime transition.”

The IMO GreenVoyage2050 Programme Manager, Ms Astrid Dispert, remarked that compliant shipping companies will be rewarded according to the Marine Environment Protection Committee, while non-compliant shipping companies will be penalised.

She stressed that maritime nations that fail to decarbonise will be left behind. Dispert equally emphasised that Nigerian seafarers must be trained in line with the changes and opportunities that emerge with the energy transitions that net zero brings.

Dispert recommended that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, in collaboration with Nigerian maritime stakeholders, explore short-, medium-, and long-term measures to decarbonise shipping.

“There is a net-zero target, which is zero carbon emissions by 2050. The Nigerian government must have a plan to support the industry’s bid for decarbonisation,” she added.

The Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, Dr Tenioye Majekodunmi, assured the council’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s participation in the IMO GreenVoyage2050 programme and to securing a resilient, competitive, and climate-aligned maritime future for Nigeria.

“I commend NIMASA for its leadership, particularly as Nigeria begins participation in the IMO GreenVoyage2050 Programme and formally launches the development of a National Action Plan on maritime decarbonisation. The global shipping industry is undergoing structural transformation. With the IMO’s enhanced climate ambition and evolving global trade standards, maritime decarbonisation is no longer optional; it is a competitiveness imperative. As a major maritime nation in West Africa, Nigeria must position itself strategically within this transition,” she said.

Earlier, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, posited that the success of this National Action Plan hinges on the diverse expertise, practical insights, and collaborative spirit of stakeholders.

Mobereola, who was represented by the Executive Director of Operations at NIMASA, Fatai Adeyemi, said, “Nigeria’s participation is not just about compliance; it is about safeguarding our environment, protecting public health, and fostering sustainable economic growth. It is about ensuring that Nigeria remains a competitive and responsible player on the global maritime stage.”

The President of African Women in Maritime, Nigerian Chapter, Mrs Theodora Nwaeze, observed that for the IMO GreenVoyage2050 mandate to be inclusive, women and under-represented groups must be actively engaged in shaping and benefiting from the green transition.

“As we deliberate, we must focus on practical pathways toward cleaner fuels, energy efficiency, green port development, and innovative technologies that will position our industry for a low-carbon future. For Nigeria and the wider African maritime community, this transition presents not only obligations but also opportunities for investment, capacity building, job creation, and inclusive growth,” Nwaeze said.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Mrs Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike, noted that Nigeria must prioritise credible data collation, emissions monitoring, and reporting systems, alongside sustained capacity building for regulators, port operators, shipowners, and seafarers.

“There must be collaboration across ministries and agencies, including energy, environment, finance, and trade. This will be critical to ensure policy alignment and infrastructure readiness,” Vivian remarked.