The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Navy have renewed a longstanding partnership with the signing of a fresh Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening maritime security and coordinated enforcement across the country’s waters.
The agreement was endorsed at the Nigerian Navy Headquarters in Abuja by NIMASA Director General Dr Dayo Mobereola and Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas. It marks the first formal renewal of the original MoU signed in 2007.
The renewed pact provides a framework for closer collaboration on maritime security, the effective implementation of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, and other relevant maritime laws under NIMASA’s mandate.
Dr Mobereola praised the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for prioritising inter-agency collaboration as a driver of maritime safety and the development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy. He said the MoU would strengthen both institutions’ ability to deliver on their statutory mandates and support President Bola Tinubu’s goals for the sector.
“As we renew this partnership today, I urge our respective teams to ensure that the spirit of this agreement translates into practical and measurable outcomes,” Mobereola stated. He also thanked the Nigerian Navy for its continued support.
Vice Admiral Abbas described the signing as a milestone in the enduring relationship between the two agencies. He noted that the updated MoU includes key additions to address evolving security challenges, among them the integration of the Deep Blue Project into the collaborative framework with the Navy’s Maritime Guard Command.
Other provisions include a joint reporting protocol for better communication and information sharing during operations, as well as an annual conference to review progress and tackle emerging issues.
“Whether we like it or not, the water is where we get whatever we are getting—our revenue, everything and even the trade we engage in, in large percentages, is done through the water. So this institution has to be very strong,” Abbas said.
The renewed MoU is expected to deepen operational cooperation between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy in maritime security, information sharing, coordinated responses to incidents, and the enforcement of applicable maritime laws.
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