The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has firmly denied recent media reports alleging plans to concession its operations, labelling the claims as false and intentionally misleading.
In an official statement released on Sunday, the Agency described the reports as the work of both internal and external saboteurs who have historically benefited from inefficiencies in the system.
“There is no iota of truth in the concession claims. What we are pursuing is systemic digital reform—not a handover of responsibilities,” said Osagie Edward, FNIPR, Head of Public Relations at NIMASA.
Reforming Through Technology, Not Concession
The statement explained that the current NIMASA leadership, following an in-depth internal operational review, resolved to implement technology-driven solutions to strengthen its regulatory capacity, boost revenue generation, and block leakages in the maritime sector.
A key part of this transformation is the introduction of the Maritime Enhanced Monitoring System (MEMS)—a digital tool that brings transparency and efficiency to Nigeria’s maritime operations. MEMS allows real-time tracking of vessel movements, logs regulatory interactions, and automates billing and compliance processes.
“With MEMS, we can now detect, document, and respond to maritime activities with far greater precision. This means fewer bottlenecks and better compliance,” Edward noted.
New Revenue Streams and Environmental Protection
One of MEMS’s notable benefits is in waste reception monitoring, a previously unregulated area that often led to revenue losses. Now, every waste offload can be tracked, time-stamped, and automatically billed, converting missed opportunities into consistent government revenue while also upholding environmental standards.
In the area of marine pollution control, NIMASA’s digital upgrade is also proving critical. The integration of satellite surveillance, automated alerts, and digital logbooks allows for rapid response to pollution events, improved environmental accountability, and the recovery of damages from polluters.
From Paper Trails to Digital Pathways
The Agency attributed past revenue shortfalls to outdated manual systems and fragmented data architecture, which created loopholes for financial exploitation. According to Edward, the ongoing reforms are designed to correct these failures by enforcing a streamlined, transparent, and accountable operational framework.
Aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda
NIMASA emphasized that the reforms align with the broader national objectives of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
The Agency urged the public and stakeholders to disregard the misleading reports and support the transformative steps being taken to digitize and modernize Nigeria’s maritime governance.
“This is not the first time our reforms have faced resistance. The Deep Blue Project also encountered opposition in its early stages but is now globally recognized. Change is never easy—but it is necessary,” Edward added.
NIMASA reaffirmed its commitment to digital innovation, regulatory excellence, environmental stewardship, and revenue optimization as it works to build a more transparent and efficient maritime industry for Nigeria.
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