By Isaac Aregbesola
The Hydrographer of the Federation, Rear Admiral Ayo Olugbode, says Nigeria can generate up to 10 million dollars in revenue annually through indigenous electronic navigation charts for West Africa’s territorial waters.
Olugbode, the Chief Executive Officer, National Hydrographic Agency (NHA), said this while speaking with newsmen on the 2025 World Hydrography Day, scheduled for June 19 to June 21 in Abuja.
He said that the global Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) market was valued at around 90 million dollars annually, adding that Nigeria’s share could be up to 10 million dollars.
“There is a revenue stream, the current electronic chart revenue market globally is over 90 million dollars.
“By the time we are fully mapped, in terms of our national waterway, we will be looking at doing close to about nine, may be 10 million dollars,” he said.
The NHA boss said that the agency had been able to scale up production of its indigenous chart from manual and paper to electronic.
According to him, the agency is targeting production of electronic charts for the West African sub-region once Nigeria completes its seabed mapping and modern chart production.
“These charts form part of the Electronic Navigational Chart Information System (ENCIS), which enables safer marine navigation.
“We are looking at this market from a regional point of view. We are not looking at just Nigeria because we know that this is a continuum,” he said.
According to Olugbode, the agency has already begun generating revenue to the Federation Account through subscriptions from vessels accessing Nigeria’s digital navigation charts.
“It is very gratifying to note that we have now started to receive revenue to the country. So, for now, we have just started. It is still trickling in.
“When you subscribe to an app, you start getting small because of patronage. The more we continue our subscription service, the more we are getting.
“The more we start getting our surveys and identifying our charts, then we start getting more revenue. Right now, we have started receiving revenues from ships making port calls in Nigerian waters.
“It functions like a digital subscription model, and the more charts we complete, the more value we can derive,” he said.
He said that beyond revenue generation, the hydrographic products also supported fisheries, aquaculture and leisure navigation.
According to him, the agency has partnered with fishing clubs, boat owners, and aquaculture enterprises to provide customised charts that guide safe operations at sea.
“It is also offering hydrographic data to coastal states for infrastructure planning and environmental protection.
“It might interest you to know that we have also started giving data to the aqua tourism industry in Nigeria.
“We have close relationships with the Yacht Club in Lagos, with the Boat Club in Apapa, for fishing, and also the Yacht Club in Ikoyi,” he said.
Olugbode said that the agency’s goal was not just limited to Nigeria but extends to enabling hydrographic development across West Africa.
“Hydrography is a shared responsibility. We are not just mapping Nigeria’s waters; we are helping neighbouring countries benefit from our expertise and tools to improve safety and stimulate blue economy development.
In addition to domestic efforts, Nigeria has committed to supporting other West African nations with survey assets, personnel training, and access to bathymetric data, in alignment with the United Nations’ Seabed 2030 initiative.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
