The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) have commenced discussions on potential collaboration in several key areas, including oversight mechanisms, maritime safety, environmental protection, digital transformation, seafarer certification, youth employment and green shipping.
The strategic dialogue was initiated during a study visit by TASAC officials to NIMASA’s headquarters in Lagos.
The proposed partnership is expected to encompass critical domains such as flag and port state control, ship registration, oil pollution compensation systems, seafarer training and certification, financial sustainability in maritime administration, and digital transformation.
Welcoming the delegation, the Director-General, NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, described the visit as a valuable opportunity for both agencies to exchange expertise, share best practices, and develop innovative solutions to shared maritime challenges.
Mobereola noted that the initiative had received the backing of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who emphasised the alignment in policy direction and a shared commitment to unlocking the potential of Africa’s blue economy.
He highlighted the Deep Blue Project as one of NIMASA’s notable achievements in enhancing maritime security but underscored the need for regional cooperation to address transnational threats effectively.
“Our Deep Blue Project has significantly enhanced security in Nigeria’s waters, but maritime threats transcend borders and demand collective regional action. This collaboration is timely,” he stated.
Mobereola further affirmed NIMASA’s readiness to formalise the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TASAC, which is currently under review by the agency’s legal and technical teams.
He emphasised the importance of a unified African voice in global maritime governance, particularly at international platforms such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
According to him, African maritime administrations must begin coordinating positions on critical issues such as market-based measures for the green transition, while also exploring comparative advantages in maritime energy and alternative fuels.
On the continent’s growing prominence in global seafarer supply, Mobereola noted that both Nigeria and Tanzania could collaborate on human capital development through joint training programmes, thereby creating employment opportunities for Africa’s expanding youth population.
On his part, the Director-General, TASAC, Mohammed Salumu, commended NIMASA’s regulatory reforms and technical advancements, particularly in the areas of maritime security and digitalisation.
Salumu, who was represented by the Director of Maritime Safety, Security and Environmental Protection, TASAC, Leticia Mutaki, expressed strong interest in Nigeria’s port and flag state control mechanisms, ship registration processes, maritime training structures and the financial sustainability of NIMASA’s operations.
He described Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project as impressive, particularly in its investment in human capacity development, noting that Tanzania is eager to learn from Nigeria’s experience in certification, flag state inspections, and seafarer welfare.
Salumu also stated that the visit had a dual purpose such as to learn from NIMASA’s experience and to offer support.
He pledged Tanzania’s backing for Nigeria’s re-election bid to retain its Category C seat at the IMO.
