L.O. ENADEGHE

The word "agriculture" is a term that refers to the various ways that plants and animals help feed and otherwise sustain the world's population. It is well acknowledged that agriculture is essential to the development and sustainability of many economies and that it has the potential of reducing poverty in developing nations. Agriculture is regarded to be the backbone of most emerging countries' economic growth and development. However, policymakers and economic development professionals continue to question how this path would lead to economic progress.

In the recent past, trafficking in human beings-particularly of women and children-has emerged on the world’s political and operational agenda as ahuman travesty of indescribable proportion. Clearly, this problem which has been exacerbated by the current discourse on globalization, migration, changes in prostitution patterns and increased attention to human rights; has also
become a tragedy which affects the physical health, social and economic well- being of its victims.

The repatriation of an item with deep historical, spiritual, and cultural significance might seem like a mere gesture of colonial redress. But this ceremony was different, and it was about much more than a single physical object. In fact, it was a watershed moment in the West’s recognition of the cultural damage inflicted by colonialism.1 This instance
only acts as one of many testaments to the role art that can play in international relations. In turn, while morality may play a role in a state’s decision to return these looted works, further political and economic incentives may provide a bigger insight into the rationale behind the return of these figures

This study examines Nigeria’s maritime security challenges with particular focus on piracy and illegal oil bunkering between 2000 and 2015. Nigeria’s maritime domain, especially in the Gulf of Guinea, has experienced increasing security threats due to criminal activities such as sea piracy, oil theft, armed robbery at sea, and illegal bunkering. These activities have posed serious threats to national security, economic development, and international maritime trade. The study investigates the causes, nature, and consequences of these maritime crimes and evaluates the efforts made by the government and relevant security agencies to address them. The research adopts a historical and descriptive research design, relying mainly on secondary sources of data such as books, journal articles, government reports, and publications from relevant maritime organizations. Institutions such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Navy play significant roles in maintaining maritime security and combating piracy and illegal oil bunkering in Nigerian waters. The findings reveal that factors such as weak maritime surveillance, corruption, poverty in coastal communities, inadequate law enforcement, and the high profitability of oil theft have contributed significantly to the persistence of piracy and illegal bunkering. These activities have led to revenue loss for the government, environmental degradation, insecurity in the maritime sector, and reduced investor confidence. The study concludes that addressing maritime security challenges in Nigeria requires stronger maritime governance, improved surveillance technology, enhanced collaboration among security agencies, and sustainable economic development in coastal communities. It recommends increased investment in maritime security infrastructure, stricter enforcement of maritime laws, and regional cooperation to effectively combat piracy and illegal oil bunkering in Nigerian waters.

Nigeria's maritime environment, particularly the Gulf of Guinea, is a critical economiczone for the country and the broader West African region; it serves as a vital hub for international trade, with oil production and shipping forming the backbone of the Nigerian economy.
However, this maritime domain has been plagued by security challenges, notably piracy and illegal oil bunkering Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has evolved into a major regional concern, with attacks targeting commercial vessels, resulting in ransom
demands, theft, and kidnapping of crew members.
Between 2000 and 2015, piracy incidents in Nigerian waters surged, making the Gulf of Guinea one of the most dangerous regions for maritime navigation globally