LESSON FOR NIGERIA IN THE REGIME OF FREEDOM OF THE SEAS

Abstract

The emergency of nation-States in historic time necessitated formulation of regulations to guide relations between States. One of such body of rules is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS III) 1982 which enunciated the principle of freedom to the use of the seas.

The paper argued that the introduction of adequate provisions in the UNCLOS III, 1982 indeed allowed for freedom of the use of the seas, especially, inclusive of navigation; over flight; laying of submarine cables and pipes; construction of artificial islands and for some other purposes as well as examined the freedom principle under the UNCLOS III focusing on impacts on States’ for instance, Nigeria, being a developing state. The authors further argued that the advanced States benefitted more from the free use of the seas than less developed or developing nations, by virtue of application of sophisticated technologies and supersonic science. The paper therefore maintained that this freedom of utilization of the seas has contributed to peaceful coexistence and cooperation between States. The paper concluded with recommendations for periodic review and close adherence to the UNCLOS III, 1982 for continued enjoyment of the freedom of the seas and for Nigeria as a coastal State to maximize the opportunity the freedom affords.