The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) have agreed to establish a joint framework and operational committee to drive data sharing, strengthen safety investigation capacity, facilitate technical cooperation and improve responses.

The framework is expected to strengthen the implementation of safety recommendations arising from maritime accident investigations while supporting safer navigation across Nigeria’s inland waterways and coastal domain.

While the NSIB would continue to investigate maritime accidents independently to determine causal factors and issue safety recommendations, NIMASA would exercise its regulatory responsibilities in promoting compliance with national and international maritime safety standards.

The agreement was reached during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of the NSIB, Alex Badeh, to the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, at the agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

According to a statement released yesterday by the NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, Badeh said both agencies shared a common objective of improving safety within Nigeria’s maritime sector.

“Together, we can close safety loops through data-driven regulations and rigorous safety investigations that yield actionable safety recommendations,” Badeh said.

He added that the partnership would deepen collaboration between investigators and regulators while supporting Nigeria’s engagement with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) by promoting internationally accepted safety standards.

Mobereola reportedly said effective collaboration among government agencies remains central to achieving a safe and sustainable maritime sector.

He said the partnership was key to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy, while ensuring enhanced safety and security.