NIGERIA’S MARITIME RESOURCES PROTECTION: INTEGRATED APPROACH FOR THE ARMED FORCES

Abstract

The resources and possibilities offered by the ocean at the service of mankind
as a huge maritime estate for exploration, exploitation, transportation amongst
others are enormous. The world populations rely greatly on the vast and
abundant resources of the sea as vital means of sustenance and livelihood. The
environment is endowed with huge deposit of living and non-living resources such
as aquatic marine resources, oil and gas and minerals amongst others. The quest
by the littoral states to derive optimum harvest and also guide against illegal
exploration and exploitation, threats and vulnerabilities informed the enactment
of legal and regulatory framework for appropriate defence and governance.
Nigeria maritime environment is rich in oil and gas, minerals and aquatic
resources which contribute as major source of revenue to the nation. Nigeria
earns over 90 percent of her foreign exchange annually from oil alone. However,
these resources are vulnerable to threats such as illegal bunkering/crude oil theft,
smuggling, poaching and piracy, amongst others. These challenges expedite the
assignment of responsibility to the Armed Forces and other maritime stakeholders
for the protection of the maritime resources.
The study was undertaken to primarily proffer an integrated approach strategy
for effective maritime resources protection to enhance economic well being of
Nigeria. It examined the capability of the Armed Forces and other stakeholders in
maritime resources protection in Nigeria. The parameters used for the assessment
include the adequacies of structures, instruments of inter-agency engagement/
cooperation and platforms for surveillance, monitoring and enforcement.
The study adopted the survey methodology in the course of the research. It established
that the Armed Forces and other supporting agencies were adequately organised to
carry out their roles. However, the key identified challenges common to all the agencies
are inadequate platforms, limited inter- agency cooperation, inadequate funding,
lack of common Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities infrastructure, lack of joint maritime security framework and limited political will. The study revealed that
there are rising threats profile, unabated illegal activities and unattended security
gaps. Therefore, the assessment of the current security capabilities approach and
delivery was adjudged low to effectively mitigate the menace.
The findings of the research generated the need to properly articulate and evolve
a holistic, robust integrated and workable approach strategy proffered for the
AFN to improve efficiency. Appropriate strategies to mitigate the identified
lapses and enhance the capacity building were proffered and recommended for
considerations to enhance the protection of Nigeria’s maritime resources.