An address delivered by the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, at the 2025 Shipping Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (SCAN) summit titled: Marine Debris: The Danger Ahead, held Thursday, June 26, 2025 at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.
The Managing Director was represented by Principal Manager, Marine, NPA, Capt Femi Oyewole.
Introduction
The Honourable Minister, Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency. Adeboyega Oyelola CON, Distinguished Stakeholders, Esteemed colleagues, Members of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria, Ladies and Gentiemen,
it is a great honour to join you at this critical summit focused on a challenge that strikes at the very heart of ocean health, coastal resilience, and maritime sustainability marine debris. The theme for this year’s summit, “Marine Debris: The Dangers Ahead. could not be more timely or relevant. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) appreciates this opportunity to engage with thought leaders, environmental advocates, media professionals, and maritime operators in addressing the urgent and growing crisis of marine debris along Nigeria’s coastline and within our port environments
As custodians of Nigeria’s seaports, the NPA is deeply vested in advancing national and global efforts to combat marine litter and preserve the integrity of our marine ecosystem. This presentation outlines our strategic actions, recent initiatives, challenges encountered, and our vision for a collaborative and sustainable future.
Understanding Marine Debris: The Dangers Ahead
Before we proceed further, it is important that we understand what marine Debris is. Marine debris refers to any persistent, manufactured, or processed solid material discarded, disposed of, or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment.
While plastics constitute the majority, it also includes items like metais, glass, textiles, fishing gear, and other synthetic materials, which do not biodegrade easily.
These materials pose grave dangers in the following ways:
They threaten biodiversity, including fish, marine mammals, and seabirds, often resulting in entanglement and ingestion
They impair navigational safety and port operations
They pollute coastlines, undermining tourism, coastal livelihoods, and community health.
They act as vectors for invasive species and toxic pollutants
They increase the cost of environmental cleanup and port maintenance
Those dangers are no longer distant possibilities, they are present and growing. NPA recognizes its responsibility and has taken several proactive measures to confront them head-on.
NPA’s Mandate and Strategic Actions Against Marine Debris
Our Environment Department leads efforts to institutionalize sustainable port operations through several policies and interventions specifically aimed at addressing marine debris:
1. Port Reception Facilities (PRFs)
NPA operates and regulates Port Reception Facilities at all major ports in Nigeria, ensuring full compliance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78), particularly Annex V which addresses garbage disposal from ships calling at the Ports Authority’s Four Pilotage Districts: Lagos, Delta, Bonny/Port Harcourt and Calabar Pilotage Districts.
These facilities provide secure, environmentally-sound reception and handling of waste from vessels calling at Nigerian ports. They are equipped to receive a wide range of hazardous residues, besides daily Sludges and Bilges. By doing so, we eliminate ship-generated wastes – including plastics, food waste, domestic garbage, oily rags, the incentive for illegal disposal into the marine environment and ensure that all wastes are treated, recycled, or disposed of in accordance with national and international environmental standards.
2. Marine Litter and Seaweed Cleanup Operations
The NPA regularly undertakes dedicated marine litter and seaweed cleanup exercises within and around port channels, berths, and quay aprons. These operations are vital not just for aesthetics or safety, but for preventing floating debris from accumulating, clogging waterways, or drifting into open waters.
By removing plastics, packaging materials, vegetation waste, and solid litter, we are able to protect marine life, reduce blockages in port drainage systems, and ensure the smooth operation of vessels in port environments and navigational channels.
3. Environmental Monitoring and Surveillance
We conduct routine environmental monitoring across our ports including water quality assessments, environmental audits, and visual shoreline surveys to track pollution trends, detect marine debris hotspots, and guide intervention strategies.
4. Blue Economy Initiatives in the Ports
As part of Nigeria’s broader Blue Economy Agenda, NPA is embedding sustainability principles into port management including waste minimization, circular economy models, environmental stewardship, and cleaner production practices.
These blue economy-driven efforts reflect our alignment with global calls for ocean conservation while fostering economic growth through sustainable maritime operations.
Recent Initiatives and Collaborations:
Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships
We recognize that marine debris is a multi-dimensional problem requiring joint action.
The NPA works closely with several ministries and agencies including:
The Federal Ministry of Environment
The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA)
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)
Nigerian and Navy Port other Security Authorities These partnerships enable us to coordinate shoreline protection, regulatory enforcement, environmental education, and pollution response.
Community and Youth Engagement
Public participation is central to addressing marine debris. NPA collaborates with schools, NGOs, and local communities on shoreline cleanup campaigns, awareness drives, and environmental education programs. These activities help instill a culture of responsibility and promote behavioural change among citizens, especially the youth.
Challenges in Combating Marine Debris
Despite our ongoing efforts, several challenges hinder the effectiveness of our interventions:
1. Illegal dumping by waterfront communities and port users.
2. Lack of adequate infrastructure for segregation, recycling, and final disposal of port-generated waste (not ship-generated waste).
3. Insufficient awareness and environmental education among Port Stakeholders and local populations.
4. Weak enforcement of anti-littering laws in coastal areas.
5. High volume of plastic use and poor waste management practices inland.
6. Limited research and data on sources and composition of marine debris.
7. Funding gaps for large-scale cleanup and monitoring programs.
The Way Forward: Building a Marine Litter-Free Future
To address these challenges and align with the Summit’s vision of averting “The Dangers Ahead,” the NPA recommends the following collective actions:
Strengthen National Policy Frameworks – to better enforce anti-marine litter
laws and support clean port strategies. Expand Public Awareness and Education especially in coastal and riverine
communities, and in primary and secondary schools. Promote Innovation, Data Gathering and Use of Technology – for real-time monitoring, traceability, and evidence-based policy interventions.
Enhance Private Sector Engagement to encourage waste reduction, extended producer responsibility, and environmental stewardship.
Sustain Multi-Agency Coordination for more holistic and effective action across all maritime and coastal stakeholders.
State and Local Government Collaboration – to work with state and local government agencies across the country to ban single-use plastics and enforcement of solid waste management.
Conclusion
In conclusion, NPA is fully committed to the national and global movement to tackle marine debris. We view this summit not just as a platform for dialogue but as a rallying call for coordinated action. As Port managers and maritime regulators, we are custodians of the gateway to the ocean.
