THE INFLUENCE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW OF THE SEA ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARITIME LAW IN NIGERIA

The seas have two significant functions, to wit as a medium of transportation and also as a vast reservoir of resources, both living and non- living. These functions have necessitated and engendered the development of legal rules to govern the exploitation and use of the sea. It is true that in all human endeavours whenever human beings interact — laws are necessary to provide sanctions, guideline and a framework for the resolution of disputes. From time immemorial human activities traversing large expanse of water in vessels of increasing sophistication-in pursuit of trade and commerce, acquisition of new territories, exchange of ideas, military adventures etc have required comprehensive regulation. Maritime law comprises of the municipal law of the sea and the international aspect of it. The national aspect deals with the internal regulations of each particular state in which foreign elements prompt raising questions as to the application of foreign law or the role of foreign courts. This is mostly concerned with admiralty matters. By contrast international maritime law covers relations between states in all their myriad forms as to the use and exploitation of the sea. It must be conceded that much of the national legislation on shipping promulgated by state is derived from rules of international application. The paper shall therefore exponent maritime law with international elements and consider its impact on the Nigerian maritime law, its applicability and enforcement on the Nigerian state. 1.2 THE MAKING OF INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW In the context of the topic, international maritime law refers to the law governing the use and exploitation of the sea among nations. As maritime traffic increased and ships became sturdier and faster, it became equally necessary to accentuate international regulation of traffic and affairs. This Situation prompted the holding of more conferences which were attended by