Abstract
Maritime crimes constitute a significant threat to Nigeria’s national security, economic stability, and regional maritime governance. These crimes include piracy, armed robbery at sea, illegal oil bunkering, human trafficking, drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and environmental pollution. Despite various legal and institutional frameworks established to combat these offences, enforcement remains weak due to systemic corruption, inadequate maritime surveillance, jurisdictional challenges, and limited inter-agency coordination. This work examines the legal and socio-economic implications of maritime crimes in Nigeria, evaluates existing enforcement mechanisms, and proposes reforms aimed at strengthening maritime security and promoting sustainable blue economy development.