Nigeria’s recent extension of its continental shelf, as approved by the United Nations, has significant implications for the country. The extension means that the country’s jurisdiction now extends from 200 nautical miles to 220 nautical miles and encompasses the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas beyond Nigeria’s land territory. This achievement showcases Nigeria’s growing influence in the global geopolitical landscape and marks an important milestone in the nation’s territorial expansion.
However, as we celebrate this achievement, we will need to be actively aware of the many benefits it brings to the country. First, it provides access to more resources and opportunities, adding mineral deposits, oil and fuel reserves, which can breathe life into Nigeria. economy and its energy security. The additional resources received through the extended continental shelf can stimulate economic growth, leading to job creation, increased investment and improvement of the people’s living conditions of the Nigerian people, thus contributing to the country’s sustainable progress and strengthening its position in the global industrial market.
Furthermore, the expanded continental shelf affirms and strengthens Nigeria’s maritime boundaries, providing legal protection and security for its territorial waters. This increased jurisdiction helps protect Nigerian fishermen, researchers, and other stakeholders operating in the marine sector.
The successful expansion of Nigeria’s continental shelf demonstrates the country’s ability to assert its territorial rights and negotiate diplomatic agreements within the framework of foreign law. The nonviolent and cooperative technique deployed to ensure the expansion of the continental shelf is a positive example for other nations seeking to expand their territories. It shows the country’s commitment to foreign law and diplomatic negotiations as effective tactics for territorial issues.
It should be noted that this extension of the continental shelf might not have been imaginable without the intervention of the Buhari-led administration, which in 2015 established the High-Level Presidential Committee on the Nigerian Extended Continental Shelf Project (HPPC). chaired by the then Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, it included experts from various fields, including geology, oceanography and foreign affairs. It has managed to combine the combined experience and determination of its members to reinvigorate the task and triumph over bureaucratic hurdles that had so far hindered progress since 2009, when the country submitted a nomination to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS). Today’s final results highlight Nigeria’s ability to embrace complex clinical and technical tasks.
In conclusion, the extension of the continental shelf is a significant milestone for Nigeria, representing territorial expansion and national progress. It signifies the country’s growing influence in the global geopolitical arena and presents numerous benefits for the nation. Through diligent efforts and determination, Nigeria has added to its territory without resorting to conflict or legal disputes. The unsung heroes behind this achievement, including the HPPC and the dedicated experts involved, deserve recognition for their dedication in expanding Nigeria’s continental shelf and securing a brighter future for the country.
Written by:
Uzo Amadi
Abuja