The Federal Government on Tuesday launched a unified ocean data-sharing system in furtherance of its sustained initiatives aimed at enhancing operations in the nation’s blue economy by strengthening maritime safety and coordination.
The Hydrographer of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hydrographic Agency (NHA), Rear Admiral Olumide Fadahunsi, explained that the initiative was undertaken to streamline operations, reduce risks, and improve decision-making across Nigerian waters.
Fadahunsi made this disclosure at the 2026 World Hydrography Day media briefing in Abuja, maintained that the techno-powered data-sharing system would help the government establish a shared, reliable, and standardized ocean data system to streamline operations across all maritime agencies.
Describing hydrography as science that tells how deep a particular area of water is and identifies wrecks or obstructions to navigation in that area, the NHA boss maintained that the International Hydrographic Organization’s S-100 framework remained key to such transformation, with key products such as S-101 Electronic Navigational Charts and S-102 Bathymetric Surface Data forming the backbone of modern navigation systems.
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According to him, the migration to modern digital ocean data services is central to improving coordination, safety and efficiency in maritime operations.
Fadahunsi explained that when agencies operate with incomplete or duplicated data, it would limit their ability to accurately assess underwater conditions, hazards and movements within the maritime environment.
On the benefits of the latest initiative to the nation’s economy and security, he said: “For the Navy or any other agency involved in securing our maritime space, they need all this information because it ensures they are not exposed to avoidable risks while carrying out their mandate.”
