Hydrography vital for Nigeria’s maritime safety, blue economy — Hydrographer

Modern hydrography is the cornerstone of Nigeria's maritime safety, ocean governance, and environmental protection, Rear Admiral Olumide Fadahunsi, the Hydrographer of the Federation, stated Tuesday. He emphasized that the nation must urgently transform its approach to organizing, standardizing, and sharing ocean data to safeguard its Blue Economy.

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Hydrography remains the bedrock of maritime safety, ocean governance and environmental protection. Accurate charts and ocean-data products derived from modern surveys are essential for safe navigation, port development, offshore energy, submarine cable and pipeline routing, fisheries management and coastal-resilience planning.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja marking the 2026 World Hydrography Day, Fadahunsi highlighted the critical role of accurate charts and ocean data products. These are essential for safe navigation, port development, offshore energy projects, submarine cable and pipeline routing, fisheries management, and coastal resilience planning. Nigeria will formally commemorate the day on June 20 in Lagos, aligning with the International Hydrographic Organization's global agenda.

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While the underlying focus is technical, the IHO has deliberately framed the theme in clear, non-technical language to engage a broad range of stakeholders beyond hydrographers and navigation specialists, including policymakers, industry, academia and the general public.

Fadahunsi explained that this year's theme is framed in accessible language to engage a broad range of stakeholders beyond technical specialists. The focus is on supporting the uptake of S-100-based data services, particularly S-101 Electronic Navigational Charts and S-102 Bathymetric Surface products. These are crucial for the International Maritime Organization's approved acceptance of S-100 ECDIS as a standard for international shipping navigation.

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By transforming how ocean data is organised, standardised and shared, especially through S-100-compliant services, Nigeria can reduce navigational risk, support efficient maritime trade and contribute to regional and global efforts to keep sea lanes safe.

The Hydrographer stressed that by transforming ocean data management and sharing, Nigeria can reduce navigational risks, boost efficient maritime trade, and contribute to global efforts to maintain safe sea lanes. A central event will be a Plenary Session on June 20, bringing together experts to examine how improved ocean data sharing can strengthen navigation safety, maritime administration, and Blue Economy growth in Nigeria and across Africa. Outcomes are expected to yield concrete deliverables for the nation's maritime sector.

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The Plenary will bring together experts to examine how improved ocean-data sharing can strengthen navigation safety, maritime administration and Blue Economy growth in Nigeria and across Africa.