The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reaffirmed its commitment to building an efficient, transparent and globally competitive maritime administration through sustained reforms, stakeholder collaboration and improved opportunities for Nigerian seafarers.
The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, stated this when he received the leadership of the Alumni Association of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (AMANO), led by its President, Emmanuel Maiguwa, during a courtesy visit to the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos.
Mobereola said NIMASA would continue to strengthen regulatory oversight, promote innovation and implement initiatives aligned with the policy direction of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
“Our vision is to build a maritime administration that is efficient, transparent and globally competitive.
“We will continue to pursue reforms that strengthen regulatory oversight, promote innovation and expand opportunities for Nigerian seafarers in line with the policy direction of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy”, he said.
L-R: President, Alumni Association of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (AMANO), Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa; Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA; Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Executive Director Maritime Labour & Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Mr Jibril Abba; and Director General of Nigerian Chamber of Shipping Mrs Vivian Chimezie Azubuike, at the visit
The NIMASA helmsman described the maritime sector as a critical driver of Nigeria’s economic growth, stressing that industry associations such as AMANO remained important partners in developing policies and programmes capable of unlocking the sector’s full potential.
He emphasised the need for sustained engagement between regulators and industry stakeholders to address emerging challenges and promote the sustainable development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Earlier, Maiguwa commended NIMASA for the successful deployment of its electronic platform for the issuance of Seafarers’ Certificates, describing the initiative as a major milestone that has enhanced efficiency, transparency and accessibility in the certification process.
He also acknowledged NIMASA’s strategic partnerships and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), which he said had helped expand opportunities for the training, certification and employment of Nigerian seafarers.
Maiguwa expressed AMANO’s readiness to deepen its collaboration with NIMASA, while identifying areas requiring sustained attention.
These include expanding the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), increasing stakeholder participation in maritime policy formulation, ensuring effective implementation of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), strengthening protection for seafarers against abandonment, establishing a sustainable pension framework and improving welfare initiatives for Nigerian seafarers.
The meeting also provided an avenue for stakeholders to exchange views on critical issues affecting the maritime industry, with discussions covering seafarer development, implementation of international maritime instruments, policy formulation and other measures aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s maritime administration and driving sustainable growth in the sector.