The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) said its ongoing process digitalisation is designed to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability, while blocking revenue leakages and ensuring that funds due to the government are not diverted into private hands.
The agency emphasised that past revenue shortfalls were largely the result of outdated manual processes, fragmented data systems and inadequate digital enforcement mechanisms, all of which enabled exploitation for personal gain.
According to the agency, following a comprehensive internal review of its operational systems, the current leadership resolved to adopt technology to better fulfil its regulatory mandate and increase government revenue collection.
In a statement signed by its Head of Public Relations, Osagie Edward, NIMASA disclosed that some internal and external actors who benefit from the existing loopholes are actively opposing the reforms by sponsoring misleading publications falsely alleging that the agency has commenced a concession of its operations.
The agency noted that these challenges prompted the implementation of the current reform, which is focused squarely on addressing the limitations through investments in digital infrastructure and streamlined monitoring systems.
A key innovation under this initiative is the Maritime Enhanced Monitoring System (MEMS), which introduces digital traceability into the core of Nigeria’s maritime operations, while also providing real-time tracking of vessel movements, operational logs and regulatory interactions.
NIMASA said that through automated alerts, smart invoicing and centralised data integration, it can now detect, document and respond to maritime activities with greater precision and efficiency, thereby eliminating bottlenecks and strengthening compliance.
The agency noted that one of the key areas targeted by MEMS is waste reception services, routine for both domestic and international vessels, which have historically lacked effective monitoring, leading to untracked operations and significant revenue losses.
According to NIMASA, with MEMS, each waste offload can be logged, time-stamped and automatically billed, turning previously missed opportunities into a steady revenue stream while upholding environmental standards.
NIMASA also identified marine pollution control as another critical aspect of its mandate that has suffered due to limited digital capacity. The agency stated that without satellite tracking and automated reporting tools, pollution incidents often go undetected or are reported too late for meaningful intervention.
The agency noted that with the integration of modern surveillance systems, digital logbooks, and real-time alerts, it is now positioned to respond more swiftly to pollution events, recover environmental damages and hold polluters accountable both legally and financially.
The agency urged the public to support its digital transformation efforts, which it said are aligned with the broader national objectives of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
NIMASA reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening maritime governance, safeguarding the environment and optimising revenue generation for Nigeria.
