From Bolanle Ridwan, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has received a report from the High Powered Presidential Committee (HPPC) on Nigeria’s Extended Continental Shelf Project.
Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), announced this in a statement in Abuja.
Ngelale said the President gave the appreciation after listening to technical presentations by two members of the committee, on Tuesday.
Prof. Larry Awosika, a member of the Committee and Surveyor Aliyu Omar, Secretary of the HPPC presented the report.
Tinubu commended the experts who worked hard over the years to advance the project. The project aims to extend Nigeria’s maritime boundaries. This is following the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.
The experts have been involved in the project since Nigeria’s initial submission to extend its continental shelf to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) in 2009.
They informed the President that the UN had approved Nigeria’s submission, granting sovereignty over additional square kilometres of maritime territory.
“When HPPC briefed former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022 on status of the project, CLCS was still considering Nigeria’s submission.
“These interactions and considerations have now culminated in approval for Nigeria to extend its continental shelf beyond 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,” Surveyor Omar told the President.
He added that the UN Nations Commission had conveyed the official notification of the decision to the Nigerian government on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) in August 2023.
In his presentation, Prof. Awosika said the approval came after years of scientific research on geophysics and diplomatic efforts.
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“The efforts have solidified Nigeria’s legal rights over a vast expanse of seabed and subsoil beyond its traditional territorial waters,” Awosika said.
He highlighted the economic potential of the newly acquired territory, which includes hydrocarbons, gas, solid minerals and a wide variety of sedentary species.
The Marine scientist, however, cautioned against total disclosure of sensitive data acquired during surveys.
He noted that this could jeopardise confidentiality as Nigeria is expected to monetise the information to recover project expenses.
Responding, President Tinubu thanked the experts for their diligence. He emphasized the significance of the achievement of Nigeria’s economic and strategic interests.
“‘This is big congratulations for Nigeria,’’ he said. Tinubu recounted how former President Buhari had briefed him on the importance of the project.
“At COP28 in Dubai, I also exchanged views with President Lula of Brazil on the need for collaboration within our economic and maritime boundaries.
“Today, it is a great honour for me to receive this report. I have listened to this very specialized report and I know it took a lot of effort to get to this stage.
“We must take advantage of this and I invite you again to repeat this knowledge exploration on geography, hydrography, and marine life.
“Nigeria is grateful for your efforts to gain additional territory for the country without going to war. Some nations went to war and lost people and economic opportunities.
“We lost nothing but have gained great benefits for Nigeria. We will pursue the best option for the country,” the President said.
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