To promote maritime safety, environmental sustainability, education, economic development, and international cooperation, the Nigerian Navy and the National Hydrographic Agency will jointly host the 2025 Hydrography Day Celebration and the West African Hydrographic Summit in Abuja.
At the International Press Conference today in Abuja, the Hydrographer of the Federation, Rear Admiral Ayodeji Olugbode, disclosed that this will help align national efforts with global maritime priorities, that is, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
Rear Admiral Olugbode noted that this year, the National Hydrographic Agency took a bold step by addressing regional gaps and aligning with global frameworks, as well as regional frameworks, like the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, the United Nations Sustainable Goal 12, titled Life Below Water.
"In recognising the ocean as vital for food security, economic growth, and the overall health of the environment, the goal is to address the challenges facing marine ecosystems, including pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction
"This emphasises the critical importance of the ocean and marine resources to human well-being and the planet and the health of the planet. The sea, which accounts for 71% of the Earth's surface and the oceans are a critical factor for the sustenance of mankind.
"Only 26%, which is about two-thirds of this, has been mapped to modern standards and to course resolution. And we think this is the time for us to take a lead in driving Africa, and indeed West Africa as a region, towards complying with that responsibility from a national perspective," he added
He stressed that Seabed will support the Seabed 2030 Initiative, a global programme critical for the safety of navigation, climate resilience, environmental stewardship, and economic growth of the world.
"We will showcase innovations in hydrography, technology through exhibitions and live demonstrations. Last year, we celebrated the role of hydrography in maritime safety," he said
During an interactive session, Rear Admiral Olugbode, disclosed that in the Nigerian Navy, about 15% of personnel are trained hydrographers and members of the National Hydrographic Agency, while 11 personnel are now in training outside the country, in the last one year.
He emphasised that over the weekend, a programme called the Empowering Women in Hydrography programme screened about 18 women with STEM background, personnel, to join an IHO programme.
He noted that globally, there's an issue of developmental, uh, funding opportunities. At this meeting, we're having one or two developmental banks coming to attend this summit for them to know that hydrography is not just playing to training, but to national development.
He stressed that at the core of any national strategy for national development of the maritime sector must be the training of hydrographers, marine scientists, and surveyors.
"If we don't approach our outlook in that way, we would not be able to sustainably provide the decision-making parameters, because it's important.
Highlighting activities lined up for the West African Hydrographic Summit and the 2025 Hydrographic Day Celebration, the Hydrographer of the Federation, Rear Admiral Olugbode, said on 19 June 2025, the event will open with an exhibition and industry presentation, as well as showcasing the proposed West African Regional Office and Training Centre for the International Centre for Electronic Charts, or Electronic Navigational Chart, which is going to be hosted by Nigeria.
"We will also showcase cutting-edge maritime and hydrographic technologies, including unmanned vehicles and some AI technologies, which we have emplaced in the agency in the last one year.
"This will be followed in the afternoon by a major West African Hydrographic Summit aimed at enhancing collaboration within West Africa, and with the catch, we don't want to leave anyone behind.
"On 20 June, the plenary session, characterised by technical papers on seabed mapping, new economic strategies, and innovation in hydrography, will be featured.
"The final day, which is the 21st of June, which is the actual World Hydrographic Day celebration globally, will have keynote addresses, panel discussions, as well as a dinner and awards night for deserving people, both within the Navy and the private sector, who have contributed to the growth of hydrography over the years.
"The dinner and awards night on the 21st of June, where pioneers and contributors to hydrography will be honoured," he said
SpyeTV News reports that Nigeria's hosting of World Hydrography Day will serve as a platform for regional cooperation. Government agencies, International maritime and oceanographic organizations, Navies and hydrographic offices, and Scientific communities are expected to participate in the summit.
The ocean has the lifeblood of the undiscovered and the last frontier of undiscovered territory of mankind, and it is not left to hydrographers or marine scientists alone.
The West African Hydrographic Summit, held alongside the 2025 celebration, aims to foster collaboration among West African nations, promoting innovation and addressing challenges in hydrography across the region.