NIMASA DG Pledges Efficient, Transparent, Globally Competitive Maritime Administration

By Ruth Sunday/ Rahanetu Abuh

 

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to building an efficient, transparent and globally competitive maritime administration through sustained reforms and strategic stakeholder collaboration.

 

Mobereola stated this recently when he received the leadership of the Alumni Association of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (AMANO), led by its President, Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa, on a courtesy visit to the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

 

The NIMASA Director General said the Agency would continue to pursue reforms aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight, promoting innovation and creating more opportunities for Nigerian seafarers, in line 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,” Mobereola stated.

 

He described the maritime sector as a critical driver of Nigeria’s economic growth, stressing that sustained collaboration with AMANO and other industry associations was essential to unlocking the full potential of the sector.

 

Mobereola assured the delegation of NIMASA’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with industry stakeholders and develop policies and programmes capable of advancing Nigeria’s maritime industry.

 

Earlier, the AMANO President, Emmanuel Maiguwa, commended NIMASA for the successful deployment of its electronic platform for the issuance of Seafarers’ Certificates, describing the initiative as a significant milestone that has improved efficiency, transparency and accessibility in the certification process.

 

Maiguwa also acknowledged the Agency’s strategic partnerships and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), which he said had expanded opportunities for the training, certification and employment of Nigerian seafarers.

 

He called for sustained engagement between AMANO and NIMASA on issues including the expansion of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), increased stakeholder participation in maritime policy formulation and effective implementation of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention).

 

Other areas identified for attention include stronger protection for seafarers against abandonment, the establishment of a sustainable pension framework and improved welfare initiatives for Nigerian seafarers.

 

The meeting also provided an avenue for both parties to exchange views on key issues affecting the maritime industry, particularly seafarer development, implementation of international maritime instruments and stakeholder participation in policy formulation.

 

The discussions, according to NIMASA, were geared towards strengthening collaboration and advancing the sustainable development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.