Nigeria’s SCAN 2025 Maritime Summit Confronts Marine Debris Crisis
Today, June 26, 2025, Lagos hosts the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) Maritime Summit at the Rockview Hotel in Apapa. The summit, themed “Marine Debris: The Danger Ahead,” seeks to address the escalating crisis of marine debris, particularly plastic waste, and its consequences for Nigeria’s maritime industry, coastal ecosystems, and public health.
The summit brings together government officials, industry representatives, environmental experts, policymakers, journalists, and other stakeholders to facilitate knowledge exchange, showcase innovative cleanup initiatives, and develop coordinated strategies to reduce marine pollution across the region.
In his remarks, Moses Ebosele, President of SCAN, stressed that marine debris is more than an environmental concern; it poses a socio‑economic threat to coastal livelihoods, fisheries, and shipping operations. He noted that studies estimate “millions of tonnes of plastic waste enter Nigerian and global oceans annually,” with dire impacts on marine life, human health, and economic stability.
The event features several high‑profile attendees. H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and the Blue Economy, serves as Special Guest of Honour. The Guest Speaker is Captain Tajudeen Alao, President of the National Association of Master Mariners. Also present are Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority; Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General of NIMASA; Dr. Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council; and Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, Managing Director of NIWA.
As a professional body of maritime journalists, SCAN aims to strengthen responsible reporting, advocate sustainable shipping practices, and support informed public discourse. Through this summit, the association is encouraging collective action to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem and promote a resilient blue economy.
This summit marks a significant step in linking global environmental concerns with practical, locally-tailored solutions. As an essential gathering of maritime stakeholders, it sets the stage for future policies, partnerships, and on-the-ground interventions to combat plastic pollution along Nigeria’s coast.
