African Maritime Legal Community Converges In Abuja For 18th Maritime Seminar For Judges Amid Greater Impact Calls
The African maritime legal community will converge in Abuja from July 22 to 24, 2026 for the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges, organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI) and the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA).
The biennial seminar is expected to bring together Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Federal and State High Courts, senior maritime law practitioners, academics, regulators, and maritime experts from Nigeria and across Africa to deliberate on contemporary legal issues affecting the maritime industry.
Speaking during a media briefing recently, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, expressed the organisers’ readiness for the event.
According to him, “The seminar will promote legal certainty, support the harmonization of maritime business laws, strengthen investor confidence, and advance the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”
MMS Plus gathered that the seminar will be chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, while the Organising Committee is headed by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho. The event will be declared open by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who is also the Chief Host.
Other dignitaries expected at the seminar include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, as Special Guest; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, as Host; the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, as Keynote Speaker; and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef O. Fagbemi, SAN, as Distinguished Guest of Honour.
The seminar will also attract the participation of senior judicial officers from across Africa, including the Chief Justices of Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Liberia and The Gambia, underscoring its growing continental significance.
Among Nigerian resource persons expected to speak are Mrs. Funke Agbor, SAN, Mike Igbokwe, SAN, and Emeka Akabuogu, SAN, alongside other leading maritime law experts.
Over the years, the Maritime Seminar for Judges has contributed significantly to enhancing judicial understanding of complex maritime laws, international conventions and commercial shipping disputes. It has also promoted greater consistency in maritime adjudication, strengthened legal certainty, and improved investor confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The 2026 edition is expected to build on these achievements by fostering stronger collaboration among African judiciaries towards harmonising maritime legal frameworks in support of the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the growth of Africa’s blue economy.
However, stakeholders believe that the seminar’s long-term impact can be further strengthened. They argue that recommendations from previous editions should be systematically translated into judicial practice, policy reforms and legislative improvements.
Observers also advocate broader participation beyond judicial officers to include port users, shipping companies, insurers, freight forwarders, terminal operators, academics and other critical maritime stakeholders whose perspectives could enrich deliberations.
In addition, they urge the organisers to encourage comprehensive media coverage of the seminar’s technical sessions rather than focusing primarily on the opening ceremony. They also recommend that seminar papers, case studies and best practices be published and made readily accessible to the wider maritime community.
Furthermore, industry experts suggest the adoption of digital learning platforms, online resource repositories and periodic virtual follow-up sessions to sustain knowledge sharing, monitor the implementation of recommendations and maximise the seminar’s impact between editions.
With preparations reportedly at an advanced stage, expectations are high that the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges will reinforce Nigeria’s leadership in maritime jurisprudence and contribute meaningfully to strengthening legal frameworks that support trade, investment and the sustainable development of Africa’s maritime economy.
