The Federal Government has announced the establishment of the International Centre for Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) – West Africa Regional Office and Training Centre, to be hosted by Nigeria’s National Hydrographic Agency (NHA) towards strengthening Maritime Security and stimulating Economic Growth.
The Minister of State for Defence Dr Bello Matawalle stated this while giving a keynote address at the 2025 World Hydrography Day in Abuja as contained in a statement by Personal Assistant to the Minister of State for Defence on Media and Publicity, Ahmad Dan-Wudil.
The new Centre, he stated, is a pivotal move in positioning Nigeria at the forefront of maritime innovation, hydrographic leadership, and ocean governance in West Africa and beyond.
He declared Nigeria's commitment to maritime security, regional integration, and the sustainable exploitation of Nigeria’s vast ocean resources.
“This Centre is not just a facility; it is a symbol of Nigeria’s strategic intent to lead in maritime data, regional security cooperation, and economic transformation,”
“With this establishment, Nigeria joins the ranks of global ENC leaders such as the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, and Australia.”
He emphasized the role of seabed mapping as a strategic necessity rather than a technical luxury, noting its implications for both national security and sustainable development.
“It is on the seabed that our digital infrastructure lies, our energy corridors pass, and our marine biodiversity flourishes. Mapping this domain is critical to our economic survival, ecological responsibility, and sovereign defence,” he said.
He further underscored that the Centre would serve as a cornerstone for unlocking the economic potential of Nigeria’s maritime domain.
"From the expansion of shipping lanes and port infrastructure to enabling offshore wind energy and fisheries sustainability, hydrographic data will drive critical decisions and investments in Nigeria’s ocean economy"
“Today’s milestone is not merely about charts and coordinates—it is about reimagining our oceans as engines of growth, resilience, and peace,” the Minister noted. “This Centre will facilitate ocean action: enhancing navigation safety, protecting ecosystems, and enabling smarter maritime governance.”
The Centre will also serve as a training hub for hydrographers and marine scientists across the sub-region, with specialized programmes aimed at nurturing future ocean professionals.
Activities such as student research competitions, technical exhibitions, and expert-led workshops will support Nigeria’s strategy of investing in the next generation of maritime leaders.
“Our youth are not just participants in this vision—they are its inheritors. By equipping them with the skills and knowledge to manage and protect our maritime assets, we secure our future,” Matawalle stated.
The establishment of the Centre aligns with Nigeria’s broader defence and development strategy, recognizing hydrography as a multi-dimensional tool for national security, economic diversification, and international maritime cooperation.
The 2025 World Hydrography Day Conference, themed “Seabed Mapping: Enabling Ocean Action,” reinforces the urgent global call for nations to responsibly map, monitor, and manage their marine spaces.
Nigeria’s leadership in this domain sends a clear signal of its readiness to contribute meaningfully to regional stability, environmental stewardship, and sustainable ocean development.
Matawalle concluded by calling on stakeholders to deepen collaboration and reaffirm their shared commitment to hydrography as a driver of peace, prosperity, and protection in the maritime commons.
“Let us support hydrographic advancement not just as a scientific exercise, but as a defence imperative, an economic enabler, and a collective responsibility for the future of our oceans,” he urged.
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