The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, MON, today received the newly appointed Hydrographer of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hydrographic Agency (NHA), Rear Admiral OO Fadahunsi, accompanied by the delegation from the Agency’s management team, on a courtesy visit to his office.
During the meeting, the Honourable Minister reaffirmed that the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, remains fully committed to supporting the National Hydrographic Agency and strengthening Nigeria’s hydrography system to enable the provision of effective and critical data for marine navigation, national defence, and other marine activities.
The National Hydrographic Agency (NHA) plays a strategic role in advancing Nigeria’s and the Gulf of Guinea’s maritime capabilities through several key functions which are essential for the effective management and utilization of marine resources.
Furthermore, the Agency continues to support Nigeria’s Blue Economy agenda by facilitating the sustainable use of ocean resources, promoting maritime trade, and driving economic growth through innovative hydrographic solutions and services.
Discussions focused on measures to support and expand Nigeria’s hydrographic capabilities in order to enhance navigational safety, strengthen maritime security, and support sustainable maritime development in Nigeria.
The Minister noted that with the strong policy frameworks already established by the Federal Government, Nigeria is positioned to play a leading role in advancing hydrography across the West African region.
HM Matawalle expressed his readiness to support the Agency and reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s hydrography systems. He further affirmed the Government’s continued support for hydrographic activities within Nigeria’s maritime environment.
In addition, the Hydrographer of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hydrographic Agency, Rear Admiral OO Fadahunsi, thanked the Honourable Minister for his visionary leadership and steadfast support. He assured the Minister of the Agency’s commitment to working closely with relevant government ministries, departments, and agencies to promote an integrated intergovernmental approach to hydrographic resilience and drive greater successes.
