IMO commends Nigeria for safety of commercial shipping in GoG

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has praised Nigeria for its leadership in maintaining the safety and security of commercial shipping in the Gulf of Guinea, particularly amid heightened traffic flows into the region due to the tension in the Red Sea.

The Secretary-General, IMO, Arsenio Dominguez, made the commendation during a meeting with the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, at IMO headquarters in London over the weekend.

Dominguez acknowledged the efforts Nigeria has made in ensuring maritime security and commended NIMASA for its engagement with the IMO’s technical team to address gaps identified during the 2016 IMO audit of Nigeria’s maritime administration.

“I want to appreciate the progress made by Nigeria regarding security in the Gulf of Guinea. Concerns arose due to the situation in the Red Sea and increased pressure around the Gulf of Guinea, but we are pleased the situation has remained stable. IMO is committed to continuing its partnership with Nigeria through NIMASA.

“I am also pleased that the Director General is engaging with the IMO technical staff to address all identified gaps before the next audit cycle. This is a step in the right direction, and we are ready to provide any technical support required,” Dominguez stated.
He also highlighted that the IMO is working to enhance the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) to improve information management services for member states.

NIMASA DG, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to becoming a prominent voice in global maritime diplomacy.

He expressed Nigeria’s dedication to leveraging both domestic and international partnerships to maintain its recent achievements in maritime safety and security.

Mobereola emphasised that the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry in Nigeria reflects the country’s commitment to playing a leading role not just in the region, but also globally.

During the meeting with IMO’s technical staff, Mobereola stressed the importance of aligning NIMASA’s operations with IMO standards ahead of the next audit cycle.

“I discovered today that some critical information about our administration provided to the IMO is outdated, and we are working to update it immediately. We view the IMO audit not as an exam but as a guide to help Nigeria reach its full potential, which is why I am personally involved in this process,” Mobereola said.

He also announced that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has set up a committee to address all areas of concern raised in the 2016 IMO audit report, including a review of NIMASA’s enabling laws and the effective implementation of a corrective action plan.