Nigeria Marks 2025 World Maritime Day, Calls for Collective Action to Protect Oceans

Nigeria will on Thursday, September 25, 2025, join the global maritime community to commemorate the 2025 World Maritime Day in Lagos, under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. This year’s theme is “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.”

The event seeks to highlight the shared responsibility of citizens to use ocean resources sustainably, ensuring their preservation for future generations while recognizing the vast opportunities the seas provide for humanity.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, urged stronger collaboration between Nigerians and the Federal Government to unlock the full potential of the nation’s maritime domain.

In his goodwill message, International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, stressed the ocean’s vital role in regulating climate, sustaining life, and enabling global trade. He cautioned that human activities—ranging from pollution and warming to acidification and overfishing—are pushing marine ecosystems to the brink.

Dominguez emphasized the urgency of global cooperation, saying: “While human activity has caused the damage, it also holds the key to restoring the ocean—presenting both a responsibility and an opportunity for a healthier, safer future.”

The Lagos commemoration is expected to gather key maritime stakeholders to reflect on the economic, environmental, and social opportunities the oceans present, while reaffirming the collective duty to safeguard them.