The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dayo Mobereola, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to establishing a maritime administration that is efficient, transparent and globally competitive, aligning its operations with evolving global standards.

Mobereola committed while receiving 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.

He said NIMASA would continue implementing reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s maritime sector through strategic engagement with stakeholders and initiatives that support 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 described the maritime sector as a major contributor to Nigeria’s economic growth, noting that AMANO and other industry associations remain essential partners in advancing the country’s maritime development. He stressed that sustained collaboration is necessary for designing policies and programmes capable of unlocking the industry’s full potential.

Earlier, AMANO President Emmanuel Maiguwa praised NIMASA for successfully deploying the electronic platform for issuing Seafarers’ Certificates. He described the digital platform as a major achievement that has enhanced efficiency, transparency and accessibility in the certification process for Nigerian seafarers.

Maiguwa also acknowledged the agency’s strategic partnerships and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), saying they have created more opportunities for the training, certification and employment of Nigerian seafarers.

He further reaffirmed the association’s willingness to strengthen collaboration with NIMASA while outlining key areas requiring continued engagement. 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 Convention), improving protection for seafarers against abandonment, establishing a sustainable pension framework, and enhancing welfare initiatives for Nigerian seafarers.

The meeting also served as a platform for discussions on major issues affecting the maritime industry. Deliberations focused on seafarer development, implementation of international maritime instruments, stakeholder participation in maritime policy formulation, and other initiatives designed to promote the growth and sustainable development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Source: Realnews Magazine.