To boost revenue and expand Nigeria’s vessel fleet, maritime expert Captain Anthony Onoharigho has called on the Federal Government to adopt an open ship registry.
Captain Onoharigho—former Deputy Registrar of the Liberian Maritime Authority—stated that the policy would drive job growth and boost the nation’s international maritime prestige.
During a recent media brief in Lagos, he lauded the collaborative talks between NIMASA and the Malta Ship Registry held on the sidelines of Posidonia 2026 in Athens. The meeting centered on strategic partnerships to modernize Nigeria’s ship registry.
According to the expert, this engagement offers Nigeria a prime opportunity to emulate top-tier maritime jurisdictions like Malta and Liberia, both of which manage highly competitive registries that successfully attract global shipowners
Drawing on his experience as former Deputy Registrar of the Liberian Maritime Authority, he stated that Nigeria’s restrictive and bureaucratic ship registration framework continues to deter global shipowners looking for efficient, timely services.
Unlike leading maritime nations that expand their fleets through open registries, Nigeria remains anchored to a closed system—a move that heavily restricts its global fleet growth.
“One of the reasons Nigeria has not been able to significantly increase its fleet size is the cumbersome nature of vessel registration. Shipowners naturally prefer countries where registration processes are simple, transparent and fast. In some jurisdictions, registration can be completed within 24 hours, whereas the process may take weeks or even months in Nigeria,” he said.
By transitioning to an open registry, Nigeria can successfully attract foreign-owned vessels to its flag. This fleet expansion is critical to increasing the nation’s tonnage, boosting its global visibility, and securing stronger leverage in international maritime circles.
“Every vessel that flies the Nigerian flag becomes an ambassador of the country across international waters. Beyond the prestige associated with a larger fleet, there are significant economic benefits. Every registered vessel pays annual registration and renewal fees, which generate steady revenue for government,” he stated.
He lauded the ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to automate the national ship registry, emphasizing that digital transformation is vital to eliminating bureaucratic delays and improving service delivery.
The move toward full automation is commendable,” Captain Onoharigho said. “The future of ship registration lies in technology-driven systems that allow operators to complete transactions efficiently and transparently. If Nigeria successfully modernizes its registry, it will become an irresistible hub for global investors and vessel owners.
Captain Onoharigho noted that combining an open registry regime with the effective implementation of the Cabotage Act would extend benefits far beyond revenue, significantly driving job creation for local seafarers and maritime professionals.
More ships flying the Nigerian flag means more jobs at sea. According to Captain Onoharigho, this fleet expansion is crucial for securing essential sea-time training for cadets and launching the careers of young industry professionals.
“We have thousands of trained cadets and maritime graduates searching for opportunities. Expanding the fleet through an open registry system will create more jobs for Nigerian seafarers and provide practical training opportunities that are currently lacking,” he said.
He emphasized that the maritime sector offers a powerful solution to youth unemployment, while simultaneously building the critical skills required to drive Nigeria’s blue economy goals.” [NIMASA]
Nigeria should look to maritime leaders like Malta and Liberia. According to the expert, studying their successful registry models will provide the exact blueprint Nigeria needs to build a world-class system.
He emphasized that the maritime sector possesses massive untapped potential. Targeted reforms aimed at accelerating vessel registration, improving regulatory efficiency, and encouraging local participation will contribute significantly to economic expansion.
Expressing great optimism, the expert noted that the NIMASA-Malta talks could be the exact catalyst Nigeria needs to trigger sweeping reforms and emerge as Africa’s ultimate maritime powerhouse.
“If the right reforms are implemented, Nigeria can become one of Africa’s leading maritime nations. The opportunity is there. What is needed is the political will and commitment to build a ship registry that is efficient, competitive and attractive to vessel owners around the world,” he added.
