The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, has commended Nigeria for its efforts in ensuring the safety and security of commercial shipping in the Gulf of Guinea.
The praise was issued following a
meeting with Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, at the IMO’s headquarters in London.
Dominguez acknowledged Nigeria’s progress in addressing maritime security challenges in the region, despite the added pressures from the Red Sea.
He highlighted the strong partnership between IMO and NIMASA, noting Nigeria’s proactive engagement with IMO’s technical team to address gaps identified during the 2016 audit.
“IMO is working to enhance its Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) to support better information management for member states,” Dominguez stated.
Dr. Mobereola reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to sustaining recent achievements in maritime safety, emphasizing collaboration with both local and international partners.
He pointed to President Bola Tinubu’s establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as a significant step in strengthening Nigeria’s role in global maritime diplomacy.
Mobereola added that a ministerial committee led by Minister Adegboyega Oyetola is addressing issues raised in the 2016 IMO audit, focusing on revising NIMASA’s enabling laws and implementing corrective actions.
Nigeria’s efforts, including the “Deep Blue Project” and regional cooperation, have helped reduce piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea by 50%.
