The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mukhtar Shagari, has stepped up efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s inland waterways sector by seeking deeper collaboration with the World Maritime University (WMU) on capacity building, research and sustainable transport development.
Shagari made the move during a strategic meeting with the President of the World Maritime University, Professor Maximo Mejia Jr., on the sidelines of the ongoing International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council Meeting in London.
The meeting, also attended by NIWA’s Acting Managing Director, Yusuf Girei, focused on leveraging global expertise to accelerate the development of Nigeria’s inland waterways, strengthen maritime education and build a skilled workforce capable of driving the country’s blue economy aspirations.
Speaking during the engagement, Shagari reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to modernising its inland waterways infrastructure and investing in human capital to unlock the enormous economic potential of the nation’s extensive waterways network.
He noted that stronger partnerships with globally recognised maritime institutions would support the Federal Government’s drive to improve safety, operational efficiency and commercial activities across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
According to him, greater collaboration in research, training and knowledge exchange would equip Nigerian maritime professionals with the technical skills needed to address emerging industry challenges while aligning the country’s waterways sector with international best practices.
Responding, Mejia reaffirmed the World Maritime University’s commitment to supporting member states through education, research and capacity development initiatives.
He commended Nigeria’s renewed focus on maritime development and expressed the university’s readiness to deepen cooperation with relevant government agencies and industry stakeholders.
The WMU President stressed that sustainable growth in the maritime sector depends on continuous investment in human capital, innovation and strict compliance with international standards.
Both sides also explored opportunities for specialised training programmes, academic exchanges and institutional partnerships aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s maritime administration and inland waterways management framework.
Maritime stakeholders described the meeting as a significant step towards connecting Nigeria’s inland waterways sector with global centres of excellence and ensuring the country benefits from international best practices in water transport development.
The engagement was one of several high-level meetings taking place during the IMO Council session, where maritime leaders are discussing policies and initiatives to promote safer, more secure and environmentally sustainable shipping worldwide.