The Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation, Arsenio Domínguez and Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, have commended the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) on its achievement around maritime training within its first year of operation.

Domínguez, who was at IMION on Friday, October 3, 2025, as part of his three-day official visit to Nigeria, commended the IMION Director General, Rear Admiral Thaddeus Udofia (rtd), for providing leadership while describing the facilities of the Institute as commendable.

The IMO scribe described the institute’s facility as being impressive and thanked the DG for the warm reception accorded them during the visit.

After being briefed on the courses of IMION and the growing number of participants, Dominguez congratulated the institute for providing a platform for maritime training, education and research.

On his part, Udofia, who thanked the IMO scribe for the visit, added that IMION will continue serving as a base for research with a view to helping in expanding Nigeria’s participation in the blue economy.

Giving a brief on IMION, Udofia said it was established on June 1, 2024, by the Nigerian Navy to serve as a think-tank and research institute dedicated to advancing maritime strategy, policy advocacy, education, and training.

He added that the institute has trained course participants cutting across the private and public sectors with a focus on the Gulf of Guinea region.

Udofia also said IMION is addressing key challenges in maritime security, governance, and the blue economy through targeted programs, workshops, and executive courses.

According to the DG, since its inception, IMION has offered over six courses and programs, including the Institute’s Research Programme, which invites scholars to contribute to maritime knowledge and professional development.