By Sandra Chukwunyere
A former Deputy Registrar of the Liberian Maritime Authority and maritime expert, Captain Anthony Onoharigho, has called on the Federal Government to adopt an open ship registry regime as part of efforts to boost revenue generation, expand Nigeria’s vessel fleet, create jobs and strengthen the country’s position in the global maritime industry.
Onoharigho made the call in an interview in Lagos while reacting to the recent discussions between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Malta Ship Registry on the sidelines of Posidonia 2026 in Athens, Greece, where both parties explored areas of collaboration aimed at modernising the Nigerian Ship Registry.
According to him, the engagement presents a valuable opportunity for Nigeria to learn from successful maritime jurisdictions such as Malta and Liberia, which have built globally competitive ship registration systems that attract vessel owners from across the world.
Drawing from his experience at the Liberian Maritime Authority, one of the world’s leading open registries, Onoharigho said Nigeria could significantly increase vessel tonnage, attract foreign shipowners and improve its standing within the global maritime community by adopting a more flexible and investor-friendly registration regime.
The maritime administrator, who previously served as the National President of the Nigerian Institute of Shipping (NIS), said Nigeria’s current ship registration framework remains largely restrictive and bureaucratic, making it less attractive to shipowners seeking efficient and timely registration services.
He noted that while several leading maritime nations operate open registries that allow foreign-owned vessels to register under their national flags, Nigeria continues to operate a largely closed registry system, limiting the growth of its national fleet.
“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.
Onoharigho explained that adopting an open registry model would encourage more vessel owners to fly the Nigerian flag, thereby increasing the country’s fleet tonnage and enhancing its standing in international maritime circles.
According to him, a larger fleet under the Nigerian flag would not only improve the country’s global maritime visibility but also strengthen its influence in international maritime institutions.
“Every vessel flying the Nigerian flag serves as a floating ambassador for Nigeria 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.
The former Nigerian Institute of Shipping (NIS) president argued that a more competitive ship registry would position Nigeria to attract greater investment into the maritime sector while improving confidence among local and international shipowners.
He further noted that the ongoing efforts by NIMASA to automate the Nigerian Ship Registry are steps in the right direction, stressing that digital transformation would help eliminate delays and improve service delivery.
“The move towards full automation is commendable. The future of ship registration lies in technology-driven systems that allow operators to complete transactions efficiently and transparently. If Nigeria successfully modernises its registry, it will become more attractive to investors and vessel owners,” he said.
Beyond revenue generation, Onoharigho said an open registry regime, when combined with effective implementation of the Cabotage Act, could significantly increase employment opportunities for Nigerian seafarers and maritime professionals.
He explained that the growth of vessels under the Nigerian flag would create more opportunities for cadets seeking sea-time experience and young professionals looking to build careers within the maritime sector.
“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.
According to him, maritime employment remains one of the most effective ways of addressing youth unemployment while developing critical skills needed to support the country’s blue economy aspirations.
The maritime expert also urged policymakers to study successful ship registry models operated by countries such as Malta and Liberia, noting that lessons from those jurisdictions could help Nigeria build a modern and globally respected registry system.
He maintained that the country’s maritime sector possesses enormous untapped potential and that reforms aimed at increasing vessel registration, improving regulatory efficiency and encouraging indigenous participation would contribute significantly to economic growth.
Onoharigho expressed optimism that the partnership discussions between NIMASA and the Malta Ship Registry could serve as a catalyst for broader reforms capable of transforming Nigeria into a major maritime hub in Africa.
“Nigeria has all the ingredients required to become a leading maritime hub in Africa. What is needed now is the political will to reform the ship registry, embrace global best practices and create an enabling environment that attracts shipowners to the Nigerian flag,” he added.
