Maritime insecurity issue poses a significant economic threat to Nigeria. It is one of the major contributory factors to the underwhelming impact of the sector on the country’s revenue generation as well as macro-economic stability. The economic impact of the maritime industry is not only limited to the level of economic activity of that industry, in the form of value added, GDP and employment generation, it also includes the impact of the industry on other aspects of the economy such as trade facilitation, revenue generation and availability of finance, promotion of tourism, enhancement of industrial growth and development, international trade relations and peaceful co-existence, socio-political harmony, defence and security, territorial protection and transportation sector development. The achievement of the aforementioned and its spill over effects to the maritime industry is undermined by the security challenges faced by the industry. These security threats are further exacerbated and perpetuated by a lack of coherent security system and adequate information sharing among neighbouring countries.
This view is in agreement with the conclusion that the maritime sector is doing poorly in driving growth and industrialisation in Nigeria. The current maritime sector in Nigeria has very weak linkages with the industrial sector and this portends very serious adverse consequences for growth and development. Therefore, to address the failings of the maritime sector in Nigeria and optimise its contribution to the national economy, the following are recommended……………