Nigeria will join the global maritime community in commemorating World Hydrography Day (WHD) 2026 with a focus on modernizing the way ocean data is collected, managed, and shared to enhance maritime safety, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
Speaking during a press briefing at the National Hydrographic Agency (NHA) Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, the Hydrographer of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the NHA, Rear Admiral Olumide Fadahunsi, announced that Nigeria’s official WHD celebration will take place on June 20, 2026, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel.
The 2026 World Hydrography Day theme, “Transforming How Ocean Data is Shared,” aligns with the agenda of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and highlights the transition to advanced S-100-based hydrographic data services. These services include S-101 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) and S-102 Bathymetric Surface products, which support the International Maritime Organization’s approved use of S-100 Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) in global shipping.
Rear Admiral Fadahunsi noted that although the theme is rooted in technical developments, it was deliberately framed in accessible language to engage policymakers, industry stakeholders, academia, and the public.
According to him, modern hydrography and digital ocean-data services play a critical role in maritime safety, efficient trade, offshore operations, environmental protection, fisheries management, and coastal resilience planning.
“Hydrography remains the bedrock of maritime safety, ocean governance, and environmental protection. By transforming how ocean data is organized, standardized, and shared, Nigeria can reduce navigational risks, enhance maritime trade efficiency, and contribute to safer regional and global sea lanes,” he said.
The celebration’s flagship event will be a plenary session bringing together hydrographic experts, researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and development partners to discuss how improved ocean-data sharing can strengthen navigation safety, maritime administration, and the Blue Economy across Nigeria and Africa.
The session will feature three technical presentations focusing on inclusive governance in Africa’s Blue Economy, the application of geospatial intelligence in marine decision-making, and the strategic use of ocean data to support sustainable offshore energy development and indigenous participation in the oil and gas sector.
A high-level panel discussion will follow, providing recommendations on policy, regulation, infrastructure development, and capacity building needed to advance digital ocean-data systems.
Expected outcomes of the event include increased awareness of S-100-based products and services, stronger collaboration among hydrographic offices and maritime stakeholders, improved accessibility and interoperability of ocean data, and greater recognition of hydrography’s role in climate resilience, maritime security, and sustainable economic development.
Rear Admiral Fadahunsi emphasized that Nigeria’s celebration aligns with global initiatives such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), both of which underscore the importance of reliable ocean data for sustainable management of marine resources.
He called on the media to help amplify the significance of World Hydrography Day and raise public awareness of the National Hydrographic Agency’s efforts in implementing modern hydrographic standards and fostering international collaboration.
“As we say in the Nigerian Navy, ‘Onward Together.’ Let us work collectively to transform how ocean data is shared today so that we can secure safer, smarter, and more sustainable oceans for tomorrow,” he said.
World Hydrography Day is observed annually on June 21 to highlight the vital role of hydrography in improving maritime safety, supporting economic development, and protecting the marine environment worldwide.
