By Idowu Addison
THE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reaffirmed its commitment to building an efficient, transparent and globally competitive maritime administration in line with contemporary realities.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, stated this while receiving the leadership of the Alumni Association of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (AMANO), led by its President, Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa, during a courtesy visit to the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos.
Mobereola said NIMASA remained committed to strengthening Nigeria’s maritime industry through sustained reforms, strategic stakeholder collaboration and initiatives aligned with the policy objectives 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.” Mobereola said
Describing the maritime sector as a critical driver of Nigeria’s economic growth, the agency’s boss noted that AMANO and other industry associations are indispensable partners in the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector, emphasizing that sustained collaboration remains essential to developing policies and programmes that will unlock the sector’s full potential.
Earlier in his address, President of AMANO, Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa, commended NIMASA for the successful deployment of the electronic platform for the issuance of Seafarers’ Certificates, describing it as a significant milestone that has improved efficiency, transparency and accessibility in the certification process for Nigerian seafarers.
Maiguwa also acknowledged the Agency’s strategic partnerships and Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs), noting that they have expanded opportunities for the training, certification and employment of Nigerian seafarers.
He further expressed the Association’s readiness to deepen collaboration with NIMASA and identified priority areas requiring sustained engagement with the Agency. These include the expansion of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), greater stakeholder participation in maritime policy formulation, effective implementation of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention), enhanced protection of seafarers against abandonment, the establishment of a sustainable pension framework and improved welfare initiatives for Nigerian seafarers.
The meeting provided an opportunity for exchange of views on key issues affecting the maritime sector, with discussions centred on seafarer development, implementation of international maritime instruments, stakeholder participation in maritime policy formulation and other initiatives aimed at advancing the growth and sustainable development of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
