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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Rector of Marine and Ocean Academy in Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Kingsley Ekwere, has said that the Gulf of Guinea presents Nigeria with a direct opportunity to capture a larger share of global maritime trade.
Ekwere made the statement while delivering a lecture entitled: “Promoting Maritime Trade with Littoral Countries along the Gulf of Guinea,” at a conference organised by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Cross River.
He said instability in the Strait of Hormuz was shifting international attention toward West and Central Africa’s coastline, creating an opening for Nigeria and other coastal states.
“The Gulf of Guinea has emerged as an alternative, and Nigerian businesses need to move there first, because others are coming,” he said.
He stressed that ports must function as critical trade nodes, not political tools, and urged priority investment in port development along the Gulf.
Ekwere also flagged maritime crime and cyber threats as challenges requiring coordinated regional action. He cited the UN-backed code of conduct between West and East African states as a model for repressing piracy and strengthening partnership. He urged Nigerian businesses to build capacity and seek partnerships now to avoid being sidelined as foreign players enter the market.
Chairman of the Calabar Branch of the Institute, Dr. Aniefiok Iton, said the conference was timely, noting that the maritime sector remains critical to regional growth and revenue.
