The Hydrographer of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hydrographic Agency, Rear Admiral Olumide Fadahunsi, has said modern hydrography remains the bedrock of Nigeria’s maritime safety, ocean governance and environmental protection.
He warned that the country must urgently transform how it organises, standardises and shares ocean data to secure its Blue Economy future.
Fadahunsi stated this on Tuesday in Abuja during a press briefing marking the 2026 World Hydrography Day celebration, held at the National Hydrographic Agency Headquarters Complex.
“Hydrography remains the bedrock of maritime safety, ocean governance and environmental protection. Accurate charts and ocean-data products derived from modern surveys are essential for safe navigation, port development, offshore energy, submarine cable and pipeline routing, fisheries management and coastal-resilience planning,” he said.
He said Nigeria would formally commemorate the day on June 20, 2026, in Lagos in alignment with the International Hydrographic Organisation’s global agenda.
Speaking on the theme, he explained that it was deliberately framed in accessible language to draw in stakeholders beyond technical specialists.
“While the underlying focus is technical, the IHO has deliberately framed the theme in clear, non-technical language to engage a broad range of stakeholders beyond hydrographers and navigation specialists, including policymakers, industry, academia and the general public,” he said.
Fadahunsi said the theme specifically supports the planned uptake of S-100-based data services, with particular focus on S-101 Electronic Navigational Charts and S-102 Bathymetric Surface products, which underpin the International Maritime Organisation’s approved acceptance of S-100 ECDIS as a standard means of navigation in international shipping.
“By transforming how ocean data is organised, standardised and shared, especially through S-100-compliant services, Nigeria can reduce navigational risk, support efficient maritime trade and contribute to regional and global efforts to keep sea lanes safe,” he added.
The centrepiece of Nigeria’s celebration will be a Plenary Session on June 20, which Fadahunsi said would bring together subject-matter experts, researchers, policy leaders, hydrographic authorities, industry partners and development agencies.
“The Plenary will bring together experts to examine how improved ocean-data sharing can strengthen navigation safety, maritime administration and Blue Economy growth in Nigeria and across Africa,” he said.
Fadahunsi said the session’s outcomes were expected to yield concrete deliverables for the nation’s maritime sector.
“We expect better national and regional understanding of the importance of transforming how ocean data is shared, stronger collaboration among hydrographic offices, maritime authorities, academic institutions, regulators and private-sector actors, and practical recommendations for enhancing the accessibility, interoperability and governance of ocean data,” he stated.
The Hydrographer of the Federation also situated Nigeria’s 2026 celebration within broader global frameworks, noting its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 on Life Below Water and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which runs from 2021 to 2030.
“By embracing the IHO’s theme, Nigeria positions itself as an active contributor to global efforts to modernise ocean information systems for the benefit of shipping, coastal communities and the environment.
“We urge you to highlight the role of the NHA in implementing modern hydrographic standards, supporting S-100-based data services and partnering with regional and international organisations to transform how ocean data is shared for safety, security and sustainable development,” he said.
World Hydrography Day is observed annually on June 21 and was established by the International Hydrographic Organisation to raise awareness of hydrography and its critical role in maritime safety, trade and environmental protection.
The IHO, which coordinates hydrographic surveying standards among its member states, designates a fresh theme each year to guide national celebrations globally.