In 2025, Nigeria’s maritime sector saw a clear shift as regulatory reforms, better security, labour stability, and stronger international engagement reshaped the business environment. These changes lowered operational risks and rebuilt global confidence in Nigeria’s shipping and blue economy potential.
Osagie Edward, Head of Public Relations at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), stated this in an official release.
He explained that under the leadership of NIMASA Director General Dr Dayo Mobereola, the agency received praise from the Presidency, maritime institutions, labour unions, and industry stakeholders.
Edward said that throughout the year, NIMASA, working under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, pursued reforms focused on maritime safety, security, skills development, regulatory efficiency, labour harmony, and international cooperation.
According to him, these efforts led to a major milestone as Nigeria returned to the International Maritime Organization Council after 14 years.
He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu formally commended NIMASA’s management after Nigeria secured a Category C seat on the IMO Council for the 2026 to 2027 term. The President described the result as proof of Nigeria’s growing role in global maritime governance.
Edward said the President, in a statement from the State House, added that the election reflected international trust in Nigeria’s commitment to maritime safety, security, environmental protection, and compliance with global rules.
He added that President Tinubu praised the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, NIMASA, and Nigeria’s diplomatic team for their professionalism and sustained efforts during the election process.
The President also said Nigeria’s return to the IMO Council supports his administration’s goal to develop the blue economy, strengthen anti piracy efforts in the Gulf of Guinea, expand maritime infrastructure, and position Nigeria as a regional shipping and logistics hub.
Edward said Nigeria’s election into the IMO Council on Friday, 28 November 2025, during the IMO General Assembly in London, stood out as the most important achievement of the year. He said the win, led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, marked Nigeria’s return to the Council after more than a decade.
He explained that Oyetola described the outcome as recognition of Nigeria’s maritime reforms and credited over a year of diplomatic engagement, advocacy, and coordination involving NIMASA and other national institutions. Oyetola also said improvements in maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea played a key role in restoring global confidence.
Edward said the development returned Nigeria to a global platform where it can help shape international shipping policies, maritime safety standards, and sustainable ocean governance.
He also highlighted NIMASA’s hosting of the IMO Secretary General, Mr Arsenio Dominguez, as another major achievement of the year. He said the visit confirmed Nigeria’s renewed standing in the global maritime community.
Edward said Minister Oyetola led the engagement and hosted the IMO Secretary General, while NIMASA coordinated technical meetings and discussions with stakeholders. He said the visit further strengthened international confidence in Nigeria’s maritime reforms and institutions.
He added that NIMASA, working with national and international security partners, recorded zero piracy incidents in Nigerian waters during the year. He said the Deep Blue Project played a central role in this outcome and that port and flag state control activities exceeded global standards.
The statement said the IMO Secretary General observed a live demonstration by the Deep Blue security team and remarked that other countries could learn from Nigeria’s maritime security system.
Edward also spoke on human capacity development, saying the NIMASA leadership gave strong attention to maritime education. He said the agency made progress in clearing the seatime backlog for beneficiaries of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme.
He described as historic the personal attendance of the NIMASA Director General at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria graduation ceremony in Oron, noting that no serving head of the agency had done so before.
He said the Rector of the academy, Dr Okonna, praised NIMASA for its continued support for maritime education and seafarer training, adding that the agency’s interventions have strengthened the supply and quality of Nigerian maritime professionals.
Edward said maritime labour unions also praised NIMASA’s performance in 2025. He noted that the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, led by its President General, Comrade Francis Bunu, commended the agency for engaging constructively with labour, improving regulation, and supporting policies that promote workers’ welfare, industry stability, and local participation.
source:thenationonlineng.net
