Chiemelie Ezeobi
The Hydrographer of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hydrographic Agency (NHA), Rear Admiral O.O. Fadahunsi, was on Friday, July 3, 2025, elected Vice Chairman of the Eastern Atlantic Hydrographic Commission (EAtHC) for the 2026–2028 term, during the ongoing EAtHC Conference in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The Eastern Atlantic Hydrographic Commission was established on November 26, 1984, following the signing of its statutes by the four International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) member countries in the region at the time—France, Nigeria, Portugal and Spain.
Since then, the Commission has expanded from its four founding members to 11 member states, 10 associate members and six observers.
Over the years, it has promoted capacity building in hydrography and nautical cartography, supported the development and implementation of International (INT) charts and Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) schemes, improved hydrographic surveys and charting, enhanced the dissemination of nautical information, and raised awareness of the importance of hydrography across the region.
The inaugural EAtHC Conference was held in Paris, France, from April 15 to 17, 1986, and has been convened biennially ever since.
As part of the Commission’s programme of activities, Nigeria will host the next EAtHC Conference in June 2028. The country will also host the 25th Meeting of the Capacity Building Sub-Committee (CBSC25) and the 19th Meeting of the Inter-Regional Coordination Committee (IRCC19) in June 2027.
Rear Admiral Fadahunsi’s election, alongside Nigeria’s selection to host the upcoming international hydrographic meetings, underscores the country’s continued commitment to advancing hydrography and promoting the safety of navigation in the Eastern Atlantic region