Experts have said that the newly approved 16,300 square kilometres of maritime territory has immense potential for the economy.
They highlighted opportunities for oil and gas exploration, improved maritime security and job creation.
The United Nations granted Nigeria about 16,300 square kilometres of additional maritime territory, about five times the size of Lagos State.
The extension of Nigeria’s maritime boundaries aligns with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.
The experts, in separate interviews with our correspondents, welcomed the development.
A Geographer and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist, Adedamola Ogunsesan, said the expansion provides significant strategic advantages for national defence, particularly for the Navy.
He said: “The approval of an additional 16,000 square kilometres of maritime territory heralds a transformative era for Nigeria’s Blue Economy.”
Mr Adegboyega Oyetola is the Minister of the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, created by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Ogunsesan added: “It represents a gateway to numerous economic, strategic, and ecological opportunities.
“It enables the establishment of buffer zones along coastal areas, providing crucial space for anti-piracy operations and the prevention of oil theft.
“By extending naval operations into these newly acquired waters, Nigeria can more effectively safeguard its maritime assets and territorial integrity.”
