The Future of the Law of the Sea: Emerging Challenges and the Niger Delta in a Changing Maritime Order

1 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, 1833 UNTS 3. 2 Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction 2023, entered into force 17 January 2026 https://www.un.org/bbnjagreement/en accessed 18 September 2026. The United Nations confirms that the Agreement is the third implementing agreement to UNCLOS and covers marine genetic resources, area-based management tools, environmental impact assessments and capacity-building and transfer of marine technology. 3 International Maritime Organization, ‘IMO adopts first global Code for autonomous ships’ (22 May 2026) https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/pressbriefings/pages/imo-adopts-mass- code.aspx accessed 18 September 2026. 4 UNCLOS, arts 192 and 194. 5 The M/T “Heroic Idun” (No 2) Case (Marshall Islands v Equatorial Guinea), Judgment, ITLOS, 27 May 2026 https://www.itlos.org/en/main/cases/list-of-cases/the-m/t-heroic-idun-no-2-case- marshall-islands/equatorial-guinea/ accessed 18 September 2026. 6 Dispute concerning delimitation of the maritime boundary between Ghana and Togo in the Gulf of Guinea (Ghana v Togo), ITLOS, Order 2026/5 of 12 June 2026 and Order 2026/7 of 6 July 2026 https://www.itlos.org/en/main/cases/list-of-cases/dispute-concerning-the-delimitation-of-their- maritime-boundary-between-ghana-and-togo-in-the-gulf-of-guinea-ghana/togo/ accessed 18 September 2026. 7 UNCLOS, arts 192–194. 8 Request for an Advisory Opinion submitted by the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law, Advisory Opinion, ITLOS, 21 May 2024; Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change, Advisory Opinion, ICJ, 23 July 2025. 9 BBNJ Agreement 2023, arts 5–7 and relevant Parts II–V; United Nations, ‘BBNJ Agreement’ https://www.un.org/bbnjagreement/en accessed 18 September 2026. 10 UNCLOS, Part XI, particularly arts 136–140. 11 Responsibilities and Obligations of States Sponsoring Persons and Entities with Respect to Activities in the Area, Advisory Opinion, ITLOS Seabed Disputes Chamber, 1 February 2011. 12 International Seabed Authority, ‘Statement on the orders delivered by the Seabed Disputes Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea’ (19 July 2026) https://isa.org.jm/news/statement-on-the-orders-delivered-by-the-seabed-disputes-chamber-of- the-international-tribunal-for-the-law-of-the-sea/ accessed 18 September 2026. 13 International Maritime Organization, ‘IMO adopts first global Code for autonomous ships’ (22 May 2026) https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/pressbriefings/pages/imo-adopts-mass- code.aspx accessed 18 September 2026; International Maritime Organization, ‘FAQ – Autonomous shipping’ https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/hottopics/pages/autonomous- shipping.aspx accessed 18 September 2026. 14 UNCLOS, arts 100–107. 15 International Maritime Organization, ‘Maritime Security in West and Central Africa’ https://www.imo.org accessed 18 September 2026. 16 Dispute concerning delimitation of the maritime boundary between Ghana and Togo in the Gulf of Guinea (Ghana v Togo), ITLOS, 2026. 17 Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act 2019. JLGP JLGP E-ISSN 2579-051X 18 O Omudhowo and OT Ofilibe, ‘Environmental Pollution in the Niger Delta: The Necessity for Review of the Anti-Pollution Laws of Nigeria’ (2025) 2(2) LexScriptio 359. 19 BBNJ Agreement 2023; United Nations, ‘BBNJ Agreement’ https://www.un.org/bbnjagreement/en accessed 18 September 2026. 20 International Maritime Organization, ‘FAQ – Autonomous shipping’ https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/hottopics/pages/autonomous-shipping.aspx accessed 18 September 2026. 21 The M/T “Heroic Idun” (No 2) Case (Marshall Islands v Equatorial Guinea), Judgment, 27 May 2026; Dispute concerning delimitation of the maritime boundary between Ghana and Togo in the Gulf of Guinea (Ghana v Togo), ITLOS, 2026; Nauru Ocean Resources Inc v International Seabed Authority and Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd v International Seabed Authority, proceedings before the Seabed Disputes Chamber, 2026.