The Executive Director, Operations and Technical at Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Warredi Enisuoh, has raised alarm over Nigeria’s growing national security risk, warning that the country’s failure to invest in ship ownership and maritime capacity is leaving it dangerously exposed.
Speaking at the 10th AMSAY Conference organised by Platform Communications, themed “A Decade of AMSAY Conference: Eyes on the Horizon,” Warredi stressed that Nigeria continues to lag behind leading maritime nations due to its inability to transport its own cargo.
He explained that countries with strong merchant fleets possess a strategic military edge, as cargo vessels can be rapidly converted for defense purposes during conflicts. “Some nations can transform their cargo ships into warships within an hour. Nigeria lacks such capability because we do not own ships”, he said.
Citing China as a model, Warredi noted that the Asian powerhouse transports the bulk of its cargo, strengthening both its economic position and national defense architecture.
He questioned Nigeria’s maritime direction, emphasizing that a clear national vision is critical to achieving security and economic resilience.
According to him, the absence of indigenous cargo fleets leaves the country vulnerable and dependent on foreign shipping interests, with little control over its own trade routes.
Warredi urged policymakers to prioritise ship ownership and maritime infrastructure, describing them as vital tools for protecting national interests.
While acknowledging that past missteps are inevitable, he insisted that Nigeria must act decisively to realign with global best practices in maritime security and logistics.
He concluded that developing indigenous shipping capacity is no longer optional but essential, warning that in today’s volatile global landscape, it is a matter of national survival.