Nigeria Acquires Additional 16,300 Square Kilometres Maritime Territory

“The first option is to take the area gained and finalise the registration with the UN Secretary-General.’’

The United Nations has approved Nigeria’s submission for the granting of sovereignty to about 16,300 square kilometres of additional new maritime territory.

A high-powered presidential committee on Nigeria’s Extended Continental Shelf Project disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja when it submitted its report to President Bola Tinubu.

The team briefed the President of the development in technical presentations by a marine scientist and member of the committee, Prof. Larry Awosika and Secretary of the HPPC, Aliyu Omar.

The experts said they had been involved in the project since 2009 when the country made its initial submission to extend its continental shelf to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

He said, “When the HPPC briefed former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022 on the status of the project, the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf was still considering Nigeria’s submission and having technical interactions with the HPPC. These interactions and consideration have now culminated in the approval for Nigeria to extend its continental shelf beyond 200M (200 nautical miles). As it stands now, the area approved for Nigeria is about 16,300 square kilometres, which is about five times the size of Lagos State.’’

He added that the official notification of the decision was conveyed to Nigeria by the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) in August 2023, shortly after Mr Tinubu assumed office.

Mr Omar outlined the available options for Nigeria following the approval: “The first option is to take the area gained and finalise the registration with the UN Secretary-General and close everything, meaning that we are satisfied with what we got. This will take at least one year.

“The second option is to take what we have right now, acquire more data, do a support write up, and make a revised submission as recommended by CLCS for further consideration. This will take another four years. Either way (options), Nigeria will keep what has been approved.’’

In his presentation, Mr Awosika explained that the approval came after years of scientific research on geophysics, geology, geography, and diplomatic efforts, which solidified Nigeria’s legal rights over a vast expanse of seabed and subsoil beyond its traditional territorial waters.

Mr Awosika highlighted the economic potential of the newly acquired territory, which includes hydrocarbons, gas, solid minerals, and a wide variety of sedentary species.

He, however, cautioned against total disclosure of sensitive data acquired during surveys, noting that this would jeopardise confidentiality as Nigeria was expected to monetise the information to recover project expenses.

Responding, the President thanked the experts for their diligence, emphasising the significance of the achievement for Nigeria’s economic and strategic interests.

‘‘This is big congratulations for Nigeria,’’ he said while recounting how former President Muhammadu Buhari had briefed him on the importance of the project.

He stated, “At COP28 in Dubai, I also exchanged views with President Lula of Brazil on the need for collaboration within our economic and maritime boundaries. Today, it is a great honour for me to receive this report. I have listened attentively to this specialised report, and I know it took a whole lot of effort to get to this stage.

“I commend the team, and we must take advantage of this and invite you again to have a repeat of this knowledge exploration on geography, hydrography, and marine life. Nigeria is grateful for the efforts that you put into gaining additional territory for the country without going to war. Some nations went to war, lost people and economic opportunities. We lost nothing but have gained great benefits for Nigeria. We will pursue the best option for the country.’’

Chairman of the HPPC, Hassan Tukur, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, also attended the meeting.