NIMASA, Navy renew MoU to strengthen maritime security
By Taiwo Scholarstica
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Navy have renewed their partnership aimed at strengthening maritime security, improving safety and enhancing coordinated enforcement across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the Nigerian Navy Headquarters in Abuja by the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, and the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.
The agreement marks the first formal renewal of the partnership between the two institutions since the original MoU was signed in 2007.
The renewed pact is expected to provide a stronger framework for collaboration in the implementation of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, as well as other relevant maritime laws and regulations.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Mobereola commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his commitment to strengthening inter-agency cooperation in the maritime sector.
According to him, effective collaboration among government agencies remains important to sustaining maritime security and unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.
He said the renewed MoU would enable NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy to build on previous achievements while creating a more coordinated approach to emerging security challenges within the nation’s territorial waters.
Mobereola also stressed the importance of ensuring that the agreement produces practical results rather than remaining a document without corresponding action.
“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,” he said.
The NIMASA DG further appreciated the Nigerian Navy and its leadership for their continued support towards the renewal of the partnership, noting that stronger institutional cooperation would contribute to the effective discharge of their respective statutory responsibilities.
On his part, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, described the renewed agreement as an important milestone in the relationship between the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA.
Abbas said the new MoU contained additional provisions designed to improve the country’s response to changing maritime security threats.
One of the major additions, according to him, is the integration of the Deep Blue Project into the collaborative framework. The initiative is expected to strengthen cooperation between the Nigerian Navy’s Maritime Guard Command and the Deep Blue Project in addressing security challenges at sea.
The Naval Chief also pointed to the introduction of a joint reporting protocol that would improve communication and information sharing during maritime operations.
He said the arrangement would support faster decision-making and ensure that incidents within the maritime domain receive a more coordinated response.
The agreement also provides for greater institutional engagement through an annual conference where both organisations can assess progress, review operational challenges and develop responses to emerging threats.
Abbas stressed the strategic importance of Nigeria’s maritime space to the country’s economy, particularly in the areas of revenue generation and international trade.
“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,” he said.
The renewed MoU is expected to strengthen joint operations, information sharing, maritime law enforcement and coordinated responses to security incidents.
It is also expected to support the broader objectives of the Federal Government’s Blue Economy agenda by creating a safer and more secure environment for maritime activities, shipping and investment.