Nigeria Gains Additional Territory Equivalent to Five Times the Size of Lagos

President Bola Tinubu has received the report of the High Powered Presidential Committee (HPPC) on Nigeria’s extended continental shelf project, lauding the team’s dedication over the years.

The project, aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of 1982, aims to enlarge Nigeria’s maritime boundaries.

In Abuja, President Tinubu commended the efforts after technical presentations by Professor Larry Awosika, a marine scientist, and Surveyor Aliyu Omar, the HPPC Secretary.

Since Nigeria’s initial submission in 2009, experts have been engaged in advancing the project, which has now been approved by the UN, granting Nigeria sovereignty over additional square kilometers of maritime territory.

According to a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, the President expressed satisfaction, stating that the approved area, approximately 16,300 square kilometers, is five times the size of Lagos State.

Surveyor Omar explained to the President that the UN conveyed the official notification of the decision in August 2023, shortly after President Tinubu assumed office.

Omar outlined Nigeria’s options following the approval: finalizing registration with the UN Secretary-General, or acquiring more data and making a revised submission for further consideration.

Professor Awosika highlighted the economic potential of the newly acquired territory, including hydrocarbons, gas, solid minerals, and diverse species. However, he advised caution in disclosing sensitive data to ensure confidentiality for Nigeria’s benefit.

President Tinubu thanked the experts for their diligence, underscoring the significance of the achievement for Nigeria’s economic and strategic interests.