President Bola Tinubu has received the final report from the High Powered Presidential Committee (HPPC) on Nigeria’s Extended Continental Shelf Project, commending the dedicated team of experts for their extensive work in advancing the project.
This aims to extend Nigeria’s maritime boundaries in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982.
These experts have been involved in the project since Nigeria’s initial submission to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) in 2009.
Additionally, they informed the President that the UN has approved Nigeria’s submission, granting sovereignty over an additional 16,300 square kilometers of maritime territory.
Surveyor Omar told the President: “When the HPPC briefed former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022 on the status of the project, the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) was still considering Nigeria’s submission and having technical interactions with the HPPC.
“These interactions and consideration have now culminated in the approval for Nigeria to extend its continental shelf beyond 200M (200 nautical miles). ‘As it stands now, the area approved for Nigeria is about 16,300 square kilometres, which is about five times the size of Lagos State,” he added.
Surveyor Omar detailed the project’s progression, noting that the UN’s decision was conveyed to Nigeria in August 2023.
However, Omar outlined two potential paths forward: finalizing registration with the UN Secretary-General, or acquiring more data for a revised submission, as recommended by the CLCS.
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Similarly, Professor Awosika elaborated on the rigorous scientific research and diplomatic efforts that culminated in this achievement.
He emphasized the economic potential of the newly acquired territory, which includes valuable resources such as hydrocarbons, gas, solid minerals, and various sedentary species.
President Tinubu praised the committee for their meticulous work, emphasizing the strategic and economic importance of this achievement for Nigeria.
He recounted how former President Muhammadu Buhari had stressed the project’s significance and shared insights from a discussion with President Lula of Brazil on potential collaboration in economic and maritime domains.
The president said, “Today, it is a great honour for me to receive this report. I have listened attentively to this very specialized report, and I know it took a whole lot of effort to get to this stage.
“I commend the team, and we must take advantage of this and invite you again to have a repeat of this knowledge exploration on geography, hydrography, and the marine life.
“Nigeria is grateful for the efforts that you put into gaining additional territory for the country without going to war. Some nations went to war, lost people and economic opportunities.”
Present at the meeting were Ambassador Hassan Tukur, Chairman of the HPPC; Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila Chief of Staff to the President; and Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.
