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World Hydrography Day: Nigeria strengthens maritime stance with navigation system upgrade – EnviroNews
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The National Hydrographic Agency (NHA) is set to commemorate the World Hydrography Day (WHD) with a massive upgrade to the Nigerian Maritime Navigation System.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), National Hydrographic Agency (NHA) / Hydrographer of the Federation, Rear Adm. Olumide Fadahunsi, disclosed this on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Abuja, at a news conference ahead of the commemoration of the world event.
World Hydrography Day 2026 is observed on June 21 to celebrate hydrography and its critical role in maritime safety, environmental protection, and sustainable ocean management.
Fadahunsi said that the theme for the 2026 WHD “Transforming How Ocean Data is Shared”, aimed to support the planned uptake of S-100-based data services, with particular focus on S-101 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) and S-102 Bathymetric Surface products.
He said that the theme underpinned the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) approved acceptance of S-100 ECDIS as a regular means of navigation in international shipping, as well as highlighted ongoing collaboration with other international bodies.
He identified the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) as bodies collaborating to incorporate their services into the wider S-100 ecosystem.
Fadahunsi explained that in spite of the underlying technicalities, the International Hydrography Organisation (IHO) deliberately framed the theme in clear, non-technical language to engage a broad range of stakeholders.
“It is to go beyond hydrographers and navigation specialists and include policymakers, industry, academia and the general public,” he said.
According to him, this will provide an important opportunity for Nigeria to showcase how modern hydrography and digital ocean-data services support maritime safety, efficient trade, offshore operations and environmental stewardship.
”Hydrography remains the bedrock of maritime safety, ocean governance and environmental protection, hence accurate charts and ocean-data products derived from modern surveys are essential for safe navigation, port development, offshore energy, submarine cable and pipeline routing, fisheries management and coastal-resilience planning.
“By transforming how ocean data is organised, standardised and shared, especially through S-100-compliant services, Nigeria can reduce navigational risk, support efficient maritime trade and contribute to regional and global efforts to keep sea lanes safe.”
The NHA chief executive officer revealed that the 2026 plenary session, which formed the core of Nigeria’s WHD celebration, would be held on June 20, at Lagos Oriental Hotel.
He said it would bring together subject-matter experts, researchers, policy leaders, hydrographic authorities, industry partners and development agencies.
”These stakeholders will examine how improved ocean-data sharing can strengthen navigation safety, maritime administration and Blue Economy growth in Nigeria and across Africa,” he said.
Speaking further, he said the plenary would feature three technical papers, each aligned with the 2026 WHD theme and the broader transition to modern, interoperable ocean-data systems.
According to him, Paper one will deal on “Transforming Ocean Data for Inclusive Governance: Strengthening Equity, Transparency and Community Participation in Africa’s Blue Economy”.
“Paper two will be on ‘Harnessing Geospatial Intelligence to Enhance Ocean Data Sharing and Marine Decision Support in Africa’.
“The third paper will have as topic ‘Transforming Ocean Data into Strategic Assets: Enabling Sustainable Offshore Energy and Indigenous Oil & Gas Leadership in Africa’.”
Fadahunsi said these papers would collectively explore how inclusive governance, geospatial intelligence and strategic use of ocean data could transform the way information flowed between hydrographic offices and mariners.
“It will also explore information flow between regulators, industry and communities, mirroring the IHO’s emphasis on S-100-based services, interoperability and collaboration with partners and stakeholders.
“A moderated panel discussion will then synthesise key messages and outline priority actions for policy, regulation, infrastructure and capacity development,” he said.
The hydrographer of the federation explained that the plenary session aimed to bring better national and regional understanding of the importance of transforming how ocean data was shared.
He said this was particularly through the adoption of S-100-based products and services for safe navigation and maritime administration.
“It seeks to achieve stronger collaboration among hydrographic offices, maritime authorities, academic institutions, regulators and private-sector actors on digital ocean-data innovation and service delivery.
“It will result to practical recommendations for enhancing the accessibility, interoperability and governance of ocean data, which aligns with international standards such as the IHO’s S-100 framework.
“It will also yield increased policy and institutional awareness of the strategic role of hydrography and modern ocean-data services in climate resilience, offshore operations and national maritime security,” he said.
Fadahunsi further said that Nigeria’s celebration of the 2026 WHD aligned with wider international agendas, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life Below Water.
He also said that it aligned with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), adding that both highlighted the need for better ocean data to support conservation, sustainable use of marine resources and climate-resilient development.
“By embracing the IHO’s theme, Nigeria positions itself as an active contributor to global efforts to modernise ocean-information systems for the benefit of shipping, coastal communities and the environment,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to work collectively to transform how ocean data was shared with a view to securing safer, smarter and more sustainable oceans for the future.
By Kennedy Sheyin
