Nigeria's Roadmap to Net-Zero Maritime Operations

Nigeria is formulating a strategic roadmap aimed at achieving net-zero maritime operations, as outlined by industry leaders during a recent session. The Director of Marine Environment Management at NIMASA, Dr. Ofod, clarified that net-zero does not imply total elimination of emissions but rather balancing emissions with removals.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is involved in this initiative, which seeks to create a framework for industrial growth while ensuring that every ton of carbon emitted is offset by green technology. Dr. Gatu emphasized that Nigeria should leverage existing technologies rather than reinventing the wheel, suggesting that integrating newer fuel models into the Nigerian maritime sector could lead to immediate emissions reductions.

He also warned that without a modern fleet, Nigeria risks losing access to global funding for green initiatives. The need for a skilled workforce to operate green propulsion and digital logistics was highlighted as a critical barrier to achieving these goals.