The sea has a way of whispering stories of distant lands, drawing us into reflections as it sustains livelihoods, and binds nations through the rich resources buried beneath it. Yet, it also tests the resilience of those who dwell by its edges. This profound truths resonated powerfully at the Nigerian International Coastal Border Platform Summit held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on August 8th, 2025, where Deputy Governors and stakeholders of the Nigerian coastal states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun and Ondo gathered to address security challenges, livelihood and deliberate on maritime policy with a view to improving cross-border trade between Nigeria’s coastal communities and neighbouring countries.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Dr. Peter Odey, set the tone with a call for justice, unity and fairness in managing our maritime frontiers. He pointed out that “As coastal states, we are bound not only by the waters that connect us but also by the responsibilities we share in ensuring fair, transparent, and mutually beneficial management of our maritime frontiers.”
His words framed the ocean not merely as a boundary, but as a bridge between the coastal states hence the need for cooperation, dialogue, and mutual respect. Drawing from the UN Law of the Sea, he urged for coordinated security, climate resilience, and the harmonization of laws guiding boundary practices. Yet it was when he spoke of Bakassi that the hush in the room deepened, as though the walls themselves were listening.