Stakeholders have underscored the need for satellite technology to address marine pollution, detect oil spills, protect marine biodiversity, and ensure sustainable shipping across Africa.
They also stressed the need for a robust local, national, and regional framework to monitor and mitigate oil pollution and other marine wastes, adding that preserving Africa’s maritime ecosystems requires collaboration, innovation, and stringent enforcement of environmental laws.
They made the call on Tuesday in Lagos during the opening ceremony of a three-day workshop with the theme, ‘Leveraging earth observation for the oil spill, transshipment, and ship detection
The event, which was organised by the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research in collaboration with Marine and Coastal Areas Management for Both West and Central Africa and Global Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa, gathered experts to chart a path for preserving Africa’s maritime environment.
Speaking during the event, the President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners, Tajudeen Alao, explained the unparalleled precision of earth observation satellites.
He noted that these technologies allow operators to map oil spills and maritime pollution with accuracy, ensuring rapid response and effective containment.
“Satellites provide better accuracy compared to human or drone surveillance. They enable swift mapping of oil spills and monitoring of pollution movement, making them indispensable tools for environmental protection and sustainable shipping,” Alao said.
He stressed the economic consequences of oil spills, highlighting their impact on fisheries, marine ecosystems, and coastal communities.
Drawing from Ghana’s advanced policies, he urged Nigeria to adopt stricter measures, including hefty fines and license revocations for offenders.
“Polluters must pay. The cost of cleaning up pollution is enormous, international mechanisms like the International Maritime Organisation and the IOPC fund should be leveraged to support cleanup efforts and compensate affected communities,” Alao added.
The Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Science at the University of Ghana, Prof. Sandow Yidana, shared insights into Ghana’s stringent environmental policies.
He noted that companies must sign environmental protection agreements before commencing operations, with violations attracting multimillion-dollar sanctions or license revocation.
Yidana emphasised the importance of satellite technology in real-time mapping and tracking of oil spills and marine pollution urging Nigeria to adopt similar measures as Ghana to enhance accountability and transparency.
Earlier the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of NIOMR, Prof Sule Abiodun, called for regional cooperation and investment in advanced technologies to safeguard Nigeria’s marine environment.
He highlighted the risks posed by oil production and maritime activities, noting the need for a comprehensive national contingency plan.
“Nigeria’s oil operations, including ultra-large crude carriers loading up to three million barrels at Single Point Mooring terminals, are significant. Any leakage could have catastrophic environmental impacts,” Abiodun warned.
He advocated for broader adoption of EO technologies to facilitate seamless data sharing with regional partners like Ghana, Benin, and Togo, ensuring coordinated enforcement and contingency planning.
