By Osagie Edward, FNIPR
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) closed the year 2025 on a notably strong footing, recording a series of strategic achievements that significantly strengthened Nigeria’s maritime sector, restored global confidence, and reinforced the country’s influence in international maritime governance.
Under the leadership of its Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, and operating under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, NIMASA pursued a reform-driven agenda anchored on maritime safety and security, regulatory efficiency, human capacity development, labour harmony, and proactive international engagement. These efforts earned commendation from the Presidency, global maritime institutions, labour unions, and a wide spectrum of industry stakeholders.The cumulative impact of these reforms culminated in one of Nigeria’s most consequential maritime milestones in over a decade — the country’s return to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council after 14 years.
Presidential Commendation and Global Validation
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu formally commended NIMASA following Nigeria’s successful election into Category C of the IMO Council for the 2026–2027 biennium, describing the outcome as a clear affirmation of Nigeria’s growing stature and credibility in global maritime affairs.
In a State House press released, the President noted that the election reflected renewed international confidence in Nigeria’s commitment to maritime safety, security, environmental protection, and adherence to global best practices. He specifically praised the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, NIMASA, and Nigeria’s diplomatic corps for their professionalism, strategic coordination, and tireless advocacy throughout the election process.
President Tinubu further emphasized that Nigeria’s return to the IMO Council aligns with his administration’s broader vision to unlock the country’s vast blue economy potential, deepen anti-piracy gains in the Gulf of Guinea, expand maritime infrastructure, and position Nigeria as a regional shipping, logistics, and services hub.
A Landmark Return to the IMO Council
Nigeria’s election into the IMO Council on Friday, 28 November 2025, during the IMO General Assembly in London, stood out as the defining highlight of NIMASA’s 2025 scorecard.
The victory, led by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, marked Nigeria’s triumphant return to the Council after more than a decade in the wilderness.
Describing the outcome as a landmark endorsement of Nigeria’s maritime reforms, Dr. Oyetola attributed the success to over twelve months of sustained diplomatic engagements, strategic advocacy, and coordinated stakeholder participation involving NIMASA and other national institutions. He noted that Nigeria’s demonstrable improvements in maritime security, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea, played a decisive role in restoring global confidence.
With this development, Nigeria has regained a strategic global platform to actively shape international shipping policies, maritime safety standards, and sustainable ocean governance.
Hosting the IMO Secretary-General
Another major highlight of 2025 was Nigeria’s successful hosting of the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, marking a historic moment in the country’s maritime re-engagement.
The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy personally led the high-level engagement, while NIMASA, as Nigeria’s nodal agency to the IMO, coordinated technical sessions and stakeholder interactions. The visit sent a strong signal of Nigeria’s renewed relevance and credibility within the global maritime community.
Sustaining Zero Piracy in Nigerian Waters
In collaboration with national and international security partners, NIMASA sustained zero piracy incidents in Nigerian waters throughout 2025, a feat widely attributed to the effectiveness of the Deep Blue Project.
The Agency’s Port State and Flag State implementation during the period not only remained robust but surpassed globally acceptable benchmarks. During his visit, the IMO Secretary-General witnessed a live operational demonstration by the Deep Blue security architecture and reportedly remarked that other maritime nations could draw valuable lessons from Nigeria’s maritime security framework.
Renewed Focus on Capacity Development
Human capital development remained a cornerstone of NIMASA’s agenda in 2025. Under Dr. Mobereola’s leadership, renewed attention was given to the long-standing seatime challenge affecting beneficiaries of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), with concrete steps taken to clear existing backlogs.
At the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, history was made when Dr. Mobereola personally attended the institution’s graduation ceremony — the first sitting NIMASA Director-General to do so.
The Rector of MAN, Dr. Okonia, publicly commended NIMASA for its sustained support for maritime education and manpower development, noting that the Agency’s interventions have strengthened the training pipeline and improved the quality of Nigerian seafarers available to the industry.
Labour Harmony and Growing Stakeholder Confidence
NIMASA’s 2025 performance also attracted strong commendation from maritime labour unions, particularly the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN).
MWUN President-General, Comrade Francis Bunu, praised the Agency’s constructive engagement with maritime labour, improved regulatory oversight, and commitment to policies that promote workers’ welfare, industry stability, and indigenous participation.
He specifically commended Dr. Mobereola for facilitating the successful unionization and signing of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between MWUN and some shipping companies operating in Nigeria — a milestone widely seen as a turning point in industrial harmony within the sector.
Describing the NIMASA DG as “one of the most thorough, proactive, disciplined, and knowledgeable chief executives ever produced by the Agency,” Comrade Bunu noted that these attributes were instrumental in achieving the agreement.
Beyond labour relations, MWUN also applauded NIMASA’s sustained anti-piracy successes, improvements that have enhanced investor confidence and operational safety. The union pledged continued support for Nigeria’s IMO Council engagement and actively participated in initiatives aimed at improving seafarers’ welfare, including the rollout of a reviewed minimum wage framework.
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Unlocking the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund
In a critical development, the NIMASA management, under the supervision of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, successfully addressed a major bottleneck that had long hindered the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF).
With this long-standing challenge resolved, industry stakeholders now view 2026 as a highly promising year for indigenous shipping capacity expansion and access to financing.
Staff Welfare and Institutional Strengthening
Internally, NIMASA recorded measurable progress in staff welfare and institutional capacity. Promotions, structured training programmes, and targeted capacity-building initiatives were implemented to enhance professionalism, morale, and operational efficiency — strengthening the Agency’s ability to deliver on its statutory mandate.
Positioned for a Stronger 2026
As 2025 drew to a close, NIMASA’s achievements under Dr. Mobereola’s leadership reflected a year of renewed credibility, strengthened partnerships, and tangible progress across Nigeria’s maritime sector.
With firm alignment to the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda and growing international recognition, the Agency enters 2026 well-positioned to consolidate gains and deepen its impact.
DG’s Message of Renewed Hope
In his New Year message to stakeholders, Dr. Dayo Mobereola expressed deep appreciation for the cooperation, partnership, and steadfast support received throughout 2025.
He described the year as momentous for Nigeria’s maritime industry, marked by significant achievements and renewed international confidence.
“As we look forward to 2026, it is our firm resolve to consolidate on these gains and deliver even greater outcomes for the sector and the nation at large,” the Director-General said.
Expressing confidence in collective effort, he added, “Working together, I am confident that we will make this possible.”
Dr. Mobereola concluded by wishing stakeholders and their families a peaceful, productive, and fulfilling year 2026.
Osagie Edward, FNIPR, is Deputy Director and Head, Public Relations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
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