By SAM OTUONYE
As the World marks 2026 Hydrography Day, the Hydrographer of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of National Hydrographic Agency, Rear Admiral Olumide Fadahunsi has stated that Hydrography remains the bedrock of maritime safety, ocean governance and environmental protection.
He maintained that accurate charts and ocean-data products derived from modern surveys are essential for safe navigation, port development, offshore energy, submarine cable and pipeline routing, fisheries management and coastal-resilience planning.
Rear Admiral Fadahunsi stated this while briefing the media on the upcoming 2026 World Hydrography Day, on Tuesday, June 16, in Abuja. He hinted that the National Hydrographic Agency (NHA) and the Nigerian Hydrographic Society (NHS), are working on integrating a real-time digital S-100-based data services to enhance maritime operations.
The technology according to him would focus on S-101 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) and S-102 Bathymetric Surface products, which underpin the IMO-approved acceptance of S-100 ECDIS as a regular means of navigation in international shipping.
Rear Admiral Fadahunsi said that the theme for this year’s celebration: “Transforming how ocean data is shared”, aims to support the planned uptake of S-100–based data services and also highlighting ongoing collaboration with other international bodies, such as the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA)and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), to incorporate their services into the wider S-100 ecosystem.
He hinted that the event would engage a broad range of stakeholders beyond hydrographers and navigation specialists, including policy makers, industry, academia and the general public.
“While the underlying focus is technical, the IHO has deliberately framed the theme in clear, non-technical language, “Transforming how ocean data is shared”, to engage a broad range of stakeholders beyond hydrographers and navigation specialists, including policy makers, industry, academia and the general public.”
On the essence of the event to Nigeria, Rear Admiral Fadahunsi stated that it would showcase the benefits of modern hydrology and digital ocean-data services to maritime safety and other offshore operations.
“For Nigeria, this provides an important opportunity to showcase how modern hydrography and digital ocean-data services support maritime safety, efficient trade, offshore operations and environmental stewardship.
“Hydrography remains the bedrock of maritime safety, ocean governance and environmental protection. Accurate charts and ocean-data products derived from modern surveys are essential for safe navigation, port development, offshore energy, submarine cable and pipeline routing, fisheries management and coastal-resilience planning. By transforming how ocean data is organised, standardised and shared, especially through S-100–compliant services, Nigeria can reduce navigational risk, support efficient maritime trade and contribute to regional and global efforts to keep sea lanes safe.”
According to him, the event would hold on 20 June 2026, at Lagos Oriental Hotel, and will bring together subject-matter experts, researchers, policy leaders, hydrographic authorities, industry partners and development agencies to examine how improved ocean-data sharing can strengthen navigation safety, maritime administration and Blue Economy growth in Nigeria and across Africa.
Unveiling an outline of the event, he said the Plenary would feature three technical papers that aligned with the 2026 WHD theme and the broader transition to modern, interoperable ocean-data systems. They include:
*Transforming Ocean Data for Inclusive Governance:Strengthening Equity, Transparency and Community Participation in Africa’s Blue Economy.
*Harnessing Geospatial Intelligence to Enhance Ocean Data Sharing and Marine Decision Support in Africa.
*Transforming Ocean Data into Strategic Assets:Enabling Sustainable Offshore Energy and Indigenous Oil & Gas Leadership in Africa.
“Together,these papers will explore how inclusive governance,geospatial intelligence and strategic use of ocean data can transform the way information flows between hydrographic offices, mariners, regulators, industry and communities, mirroring the IHO’s emphasis on S-100–based services,interoperability and collaboration with partners and stakeholders. A moderated panel discussion will then synthesise key messages and outline priority actions for policy, regulation, infrastructure and capacity development,” Rear Admiral Fadahunsi noted.
