By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) hosted a high-profile knowledge-sharing visit by 40 Naval Officers from 20 countries across the world, who are currently onboard the French naval vessel LHD TONNERRE for the “Siren Course.”
The visit was specifically aimed at studying the successful collaboration between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy in effectively decapitating piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
The team, led by the Defence Attaché at the French Embassy, Colonel Stéphane Oseo, explained that the engagement sought to deepen understanding of how Maritime Administrations operate within the framework of the Yaoundé Architecture for Maritime Safety and Security in West and Central Africa.
Colonel Oseo described the Nigerian Navy-NIMASA partnership as a “model partnership worthy of study,” especially for its efficiency in regional security coordination.
During the two-day port call in Lagos, the visiting officers engaged directly with NIMASA’s Deep Blue Project officials on strategies for maritime domain awareness and inter-agency coordination.
They also toured the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (RMRCC), where they were briefed on Nigeria’s operational procedures for maritime search and rescue.
The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, represented by the Director of Marine Environment Management, Heaky Dimowo, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustained regional collaboration for improved maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea.