The Sea Factor in Nigeria’s National Security

Abstract

Nigeria is a maritime nation that has not made full use of the potentials of the sea. The ocean environment is very important to the habitats surrounding it. It is worrisome that littoral Nigeria is yet to see the significance of the sea to its security, something which is a source of concern to the author of this paper. To secure Nigeria’s maritime interest and assert the nations sovereignty within its maritime environment, Nigeria should have a virile maritime force for its National Security. Nigeria also has some obligations under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) convention to establish systems of search and rescue, securing oil pipelines, control of pollution at sea including the dumping of radioactive wastes.The sea represents the common denominator- the great common heritage of mankind upon which nations that inherits it can secure themselves from their adversaries. By opening new vistas of opulence and influence for states, the sea arouses covetousness and incites commercial rivalry. The sea has made big and small nations secure significant commercial and political hegemony for themselves. The aim therefore for this paper is to identify the factors that make the sea vital to the nations National Security. How important is the sea to Nigeria’s National Security? Why does Nigeria need a maritime approach to its security?

Keywords: National Security, Maritime Power, Naval Force and Piracy