NIMASA, ITC-ILO Forge Strategic Alliance to Build World-Class Maritime Workforce

From left: Special Assistant to the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Dr. Zainab Kyari; Regional Adviser/Technical Expert on Maritime Labour Conventions, Dr. Amos Hosea Kuje; Director, Legal Services, NIMASA, Mr. Heaky Dimowo; Head of Training, ITC-ILO, Giuseppe Zefola; Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NIMASA, Mr. Chudi Offodile; Director and Head of ITC-ILO, Mr. Christopher Perrin; Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Mr. Jibril Abba; and Director, Administration and Human Resources, NIMASA, Mrs. Moji A. Jimoh, during the signing of the MoU on capacity development and Maritime Labour Curriculum Development in Turin, Italy.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has strengthened its commitment to developing a globally competitive maritime workforce with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITC-ILO) in Turin, Italy.
The landmark agreement is designed to enhance NIMASA’s institutional capacity through specialized technical assistance, training programmes, and capacity-building initiatives targeted at agency personnel and key stakeholders across Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NIMASA, Mr. Chudi Offodile; Director and Head of ITCILO; Christopher Perrin; and Executive Director Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA; Mr. Jibril Abba during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO), Turin, Italy on capacity development and Maritime Labour Curriculum development.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, emphasized that human capital development remains a critical pillar of the Agency’s long-term strategy for transforming Nigeria into a leading maritime nation capable of responding effectively to evolving global industry demands.
Represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Chudi Offodile, the NIMASA DG stated that the partnership aligns with the Agency’s deliberate policy of implementing structured and sustainable capacity development programmes for maritime professionals.
According to him, the collaboration will leverage the global expertise and extensive experience of the ITC-ILO to strengthen the training of maritime labour inspectors, policymakers, trainers, and other industry professionals, particularly in the interpretation and implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006, as amended.
“This partnership responds directly to our objective of building a highly skilled maritime workforce and reinforces the Agency’s commitment to structured and targeted capacity development. By leveraging the ITC-ILO’s expertise and global pedigree, we aim to strengthen the training of maritime labour inspectors, policymakers, and trainers while enhancing Nigeria’s capacity to effectively implement international maritime labour standards,” he said.
Mobereola further noted that the partnership goes beyond training and seeks to establish enduring systems that will improve maritime labour administration, regulatory effectiveness, and industry professionalism.
“We remain committed to ensuring that the knowledge, systems, and partnerships developed through this engagement translate into measurable improvements in maritime labour administration and support a sector that is globally respected, professionally driven, safe, and firmly anchored on the principles of decent work,” he added.
On his part, the Director of ITC-ILO, Mr. Christopher Perrin, expressed appreciation for the collaboration, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening maritime labour governance and workforce development in Nigeria.
Perrin assured that the Centre would deploy its extensive faculty resources, technical expertise, and international best practices to support Nigeria’s aspirations for sustainable human capital development within the maritime industry.
Industry observers believe the partnership will enhance Nigeria’s compliance with international maritime labour standards while creating opportunities for improved workforce productivity, regulatory efficiency, and sectoral competitiveness.
The MoU is the culmination of a series of strategic engagements and consultations between both organisations. Key figures who facilitated the process include the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Mr. Jibril Abba, and the Head of Training at ITC-ILO, Giuseppe Zefola, who served as focal persons. The Regional Adviser and Technical Expert at the International Labour Organization, Dr. Amos Kuje, also provided crucial guidance throughout the negotiations.
Analysts note that the agreement comes at a time when global maritime operations are increasingly driven by specialized knowledge, digital transformation, labour compliance, and evolving international regulations. By investing in advanced training and curriculum development, NIMASA is positioning Nigeria’s maritime workforce to compete more effectively in the international shipping ecosystem.
The partnership is expected to deliver long-term benefits by strengthening maritime labour administration, enhancing professional standards, improving regulatory oversight, and supporting the development of a safer, more productive, and globally competitive maritime industry.
NIMASA and the International Training Centre of the ILO have signed a strategic MoU in Turin, Italy, to boost maritime capacity development, strengthen labour administration, and enhance Nigeria’s compliance with global maritime standards.