The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening bilateral maritime cooperation, improving regional maritime governance and advancing the Blue Economy in West Africa.
The agreement, signed in Lagos, provides a framework for collaboration in maritime safety and security, mutual recognition of Certificates of Competency (CoC), institutional capacity building, knowledge sharing, comparative research, joint enforcement operations and coordinated engagement at international maritime forums.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, thanked Ghana for supporting Nigeria’s successful re-election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Category C Council, describing the partnership between both countries as vital to the growth of the maritime sector in the region.
He said the agreement would strengthen existing ties while ensuring that both countries pursue practical and measurable outcomes through structured implementation.
“We will continue to work together to grow our economies and make the maritime sector safer. This Memorandum of Understanding is a commitment to do better. NIMASA will fully play its part in implementing the agreement, while both institutions must establish annual implementation agendas to monitor progress and deliver tangible results,” Mobereola said.
The NIMASA boss noted that Nigeria and Ghana, as leading maritime nations in West and Central Africa, have a shared responsibility to drive regional maritime development and unlock the economic opportunities offered by the Blue Economy.
Under the agreement, both agencies will establish a Joint Consultative Team (JCT) to coordinate implementation, develop action plans and monitor progress through designated focal persons. The team is expected to meet twice a year, with meetings hosted alternately by Nigeria and Ghana.
According to NIMASA, the partnership is expected to strengthen maritime governance, improve institutional capacity, promote evidence-based policymaking through comparative research and enhance efforts to combat piracy, armed robbery at sea and maritime terrorism, particularly within the Gulf of Guinea.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, described the agreement as a major milestone in the longstanding relationship between both maritime agencies.
He acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership in the regional maritime sector, noting that Ghana has benefited from Nigeria’s experience in areas such as the Cabotage regime, ship registry and maritime regulatory frameworks.
“This Memorandum of Understanding consolidates an already mutually beneficial relationship. Ghana remains fully committed to implementing every aspect of the agreement as we continue to learn from one another and work together to strengthen maritime administration across the region,” Ali said.
The MoU, according to both agencies, reflects their commitment to deepening regional integration, enhancing maritime safety and security, and promoting sustainable economic growth through stronger institutional collaboration.
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