Theoretical Development of a Maritime Spatial Planning Framework for the Nigerian Exclusive Economic Zone

Maritime spatial planning, the process of analysing and allocating the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities in marine areas, is internationally recognised as an essential tool for sustainable ocean governance, yet no formally adopted framework exists for the Nigerian exclusive economic zone. This study develops an original theoretical maritime spatial planning framework for the Nigerian exclusive economic zone, drawing on marine governance theory, spatial planning theory, and systematic evaluation of maritime spatial planning implementations in comparable national contexts including South Africa, Ghana, and Angola. The research employs a theory construction methodology that combines critical discourse analysis of existing Nigerian maritime and ocean governance legislation and policy documents, structured consultation with forty-two stakeholders representing the fishing, offshore energy, shipping, defence, and conservation sectors, and spatially explicit modelling of competing maritime use claims using GIS. The proposed framework introduces the concept of adaptive governance zones calibrated to the dynamic nature of offshore activities in the Gulf of Guinea, distinguishing between regulatory, conservation, multi-use, and energy priority zones. The framework makes an original theoretical contribution by operationalising the concept of ecosystem services valuation as a mandatory input to maritime spatial planning decision-making, and by specifying inter-agency governance mechanisms appropriate to the Nigerian constitutional structure. The framework is evaluated through application to a case scenario involving conflict resolution between offshore energy and artisanal fishing interests in the south-eastern offshore zone. Keywords: maritime spatial planning, Nigerian EEZ, ocean governance, spatial planning theory, ecosystem services