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Tag: NIMASA

NIMASA commissions Africa’s first maritime emissions model at COP30

The country has strengthened its push for maritime decarbonisation as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) unveiled Africa’s first digital model for continuous emissions monitoring at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.

The new framework, known as the Nigerian Maritime Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (NIMACEMS), is designed as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to help African countries track shipping emissions in real time and comply with emerging global energy-transition rules driving investment decisions across major shipping corridors.

NIMASA said the system positions Nigeria to meet new International Maritime Organisation (IMO) requirements, especially as global demand grows for verified emissions data across ports, shipping lines, and cargo owners.

Speaking at a side event hosted by the Agency, Director of Marine Environment Management, Dr. Oma Ofodile, who represented the Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said the model reflects years of coordinated work to place the country at the forefront of low-carbon maritime operations.

“NIMASA has been at the forefront of coordinated efforts in advancing the IMO energy transition strategies through digital innovation that is expected to transform ambition into measurable progress,” Mobereola said.

He recalled that at COP28, Nigeria launched the call for an African Coalition on IMO greenhouse-gas reductions, while at COP29, the Agency presented the country’s first verifiable maritime emissions inventory produced with the University College London (UCL) research group.

He noted that this year’s COP30 marks the formal introduction of the continuous monitoring model, developed in collaboration with UCL researchers. “The Agency has been consistent in its efforts for energy transition in the maritime industry in Nigeria, which has led to this pioneer initiative,” he added.

The representative of the IMO Secretary-General, Roel Hoeders, commended Nigeria for driving the continental conversation on shipping decarbonisation.

He said, “The Agency has put together a novel session to deepen discussion and provide a strategic outlook on how Africa can navigate the challenges of shipping energy transition.”

The session featured experts from the IMO, UCL, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Lagos State’s Ministries of Planning and Budget, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Read Also: Pan African Parliament hails Nigeria’s milestones in petroleum sector reforms

Industry observers note that digital emissions tracking is fast becoming a determinant of port competitiveness, vessel compliance, and eligibility for green shipping investments. Nigeria’s early adoption, they say, could strengthen its position as a leading maritime hub in West and Central Africa.

A major expectation at COP30 is agreement on indicators for measuring progress under the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) in the Paris Agreement, a process that may shape how developing countries, including maritime economies, track climate performance in the years ahead.

NIMASA said it will continue to work with regional administrations and global partners to align Africa’s maritime sector with the fast-evolving international energy-transition landscape.

November 23, 2025
Council raises concerns over MAN conversion to university

The Governing Council of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, has cautioned that the ongoing push to convert the institution into a university could derail decades of specialised maritime capacity development it offers the industry and jeopardise its statutory five per cent funding from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

The council chairman, MAN, Kehinde Akinola, at a media parley, said the proposal threatens the Academy’s international standing, stressing that MAN’s specialised mandate remains critical to the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

Akinola warned that replacing the Academy with the proposed University of Maritime Studies would “distort its specialised mandate,” weaken its regimented cadet training system and threaten long-standing international collaborations.

Besides, he argued that such a conversion would immediately strip MAN of access to the statutory five per cent NIMASA revenue allocation, since the NIMASA Act recognises only the Maritime Academy of Nigeria as a beneficiary.

“This would create serious operational challenges for an institution that relies heavily on these funds to maintain its extensive training facilities and infrastructure,” the Council chairman warned.

Recall that MAN Oron, established in 1977 with technical support from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), was designed as a specialised maritime training institution for cadets, shipboard officers and maritime managers.

Akinola further explained that the institution’s enabling Act—Cap M3 LFN 2010, already empowers the Academy to run advanced programmes “without limitation on the type or level of certificates awarded,” aligning it with global maritime training standards.

While acknowledging that youths from Oron Local Government have the right to seek development for the community, Akinola said the calls for a university should not come at the cost of destabilising a national institution serving the entire maritime sector. He argued that national maritime priorities must take precedence over local interests.

He also expressed concern over recent actions by the Oron Youth Movement (OYOM), noting that protests, tensions and escalating hostility around the conversion debate were affecting the Academy’s stability, warning that such activities “pose risks to the Academy’s smooth operations and the policy direction of the Federal Government.”

Highlighting progress under the current administration, Akinola said President Bola Tinubu has positioned MAN as a key driver of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry’s manpower development agenda.

Since the Governing Council’s inauguration in October 2024, he said the Academy has developed a “five-year strategic plan” aligned with national blue economy goals and secured approval for a Conditions of Service document—its first in 48 years.

He disclosed that a bill amending the UMSO Act to reaffirm MAN’s status and empower it to award degrees, similar to the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Police Academy, has already passed its first reading at the National Assembly.

Akinola also referenced MAN’s recent support to host communities, including restoring electricity to Oron after eight years and installing solar-powered streetlights as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.

Citing global examples, he pointed to specialised maritime academies such as the United States Merchant Marine Academy in New York, the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, and Kenya’s Bandari Maritime Academy, all of which award degrees while maintaining regimented training systems—proof, he said, that the Academy does not need to be converted into a university to attain degree-awarding status.

“We will not be intimidated or cowed by any group attempting to appropriate a national asset for narrow interests,” he reiterated, insisting that the Governing Council remains committed to safeguarding the Academy’s mandate.

These concerns align with the position of the Alumni Association of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO), which in July 2025 wrote an open letter to President Bola Tinubu urging him to preserve the Academy’s specialised status.

In the letter signed by its President, Emmanuel Maiguwa, AMANO cautioned that converting MAN to a university under the Ministry of Education would violate IMO regulations and jeopardise Nigeria’s compliance with the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention.

“The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN Oron, is a strategically vital institution, purpose-built to deliver specialised training in accordance with global maritime standards. We respectfully express concern over the proposed conversion of the Academy into a conventional university under the Ministry of Education. This move, while perhaps well-intentioned, poses significant risks,” the letter to President Tinubu read in part.

It listed the risks to include the loss of international accreditation, particularly under IMO and STCW requirements; the dilution of training quality, stressing that maritime education requires simulators, specialised facilities and technical expertise that a generalised university curriculum may be unable to sustain; reduced global competitiveness, as weakening MAN’s technical focus would likely disadvantage Nigerian cadets seeking international maritime placements and career opportunities and potential national security risks considering that maritime security and port operations require precision-trained personnel, which specialised institutions like MAN Oron are critical to sustaining such competencies.

They also noted that Nigeria already has a Maritime University in Okerenkoko, one that has struggled outside sector-specific oversight, and that several conventional universities already offer maritime-related degrees under the Ministry of Education.

The Oron community had celebrated in 2021 when both chambers of the National Assembly passed a bill upgrading MAN to a university, a victory after 40 years of agitation, later gazetted in May 2023.

November 17, 2025
Why effective port state control critical to global maritime safety, by NIMASA

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reiterated that effective Port State Control (PSC) remains one of the strongest mechanisms for ensuring global maritime safety, eliminating substandard vessels, and maintaining environmental protection standards across international waters.

NIMASA’s Director-General, Dayo Mobereola, stated this in Lagos at a five-day Regional Train-the-Trainer Workshop on Port State Control for Member States of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), supported by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Mobereola, who was represented by the agency’s Executive Director, Operations, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi emphasised that the success of Port State Control depends largely on the quality and professionalism of those who implement it.

He said, “Effective Port State Control is one of the most potent tools for ensuring global safety and maintaining environmental standards in shipping.

“Your presence here demonstrates our collective resolve to strengthen efficient maritime governance, improve safety standards, and enhance environmental protection across West and Central Africa.”

The NIMASA boss noted that the workshop reflects Africa’s shared commitment to safer, cleaner, and more efficient shipping, commending the IMO, Abuja MoU Secretariat, and other technical partners for their continued support in building capacity and promoting regional cooperation.

Delivering a goodwill message, Captain Ahmed Sewelam, the representative of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), reaffirmed the organisation’s strong commitment to supporting member states through its technical cooperation programmes to strengthen effective and harmonised Port State Control regimes globally.

“Effective regional cooperation and harmonised PSC practices are essential to eliminate substandard shipping and promote consistency across the region,” he said.

He explained that the workshop provides an opportunity for delegates to enhance their collective capacity as Port States, with discussions covering inspection procedures, reporting, and performance improvement strategies.

“Together, we can strengthen Port State Control implementation and advance maritime safety and sustainability in the region,” he added.

Also speaking, the Secretary-General of the Abuja MoU, Captain Sunday Umoren, reiterated that capacity building remains a top priority of the organisation, noting that effective Flag State control directly influences the quality of Port State Control operations.

“We must continue to build capacity, strengthen cooperation, and share experiences to ensure that our region maintains high standards of maritime safety and compliance,” Umoren stated.

The five-day workshop, which brought together delegates from 22 countries across West and Central Africa, seeks to deepen regional capacity, harmonise inspection procedures, and improve compliance with international maritime conventions under the Abuja MoU framework.

The initiative represents another milestone in NIMASA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen maritime safety, promote environmental protection, and consolidate the country’s leadership role in advancing regional maritime development.

November 12, 2025
40 Naval officers from 20 countries visited NIMASA for knowledge sharing

Forty Naval Officers from 20 countries across the world, who are currently on the Siren Course onboard the LHD TONNERRE, have visited the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for a knowledge-sharing engagement aimed at strengthening maritime security cooperation.

They were also at the agency to share experience on how the collaboration between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy has been able to decapitate piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

The team, led by the Defence Attaché at the French Embassy, Colonel Stéphane Oseo, explained that the visit 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.

He described the collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA as a model partnership worthy of study, particularly for its effectiveness in enhancing security coordination in the Gulf of Guinea.

The 40 participants, drawn from 20 different countries, have been on board the vessel since September 1st, making a port call in Lagos for two days.

During the visit, they engaged with NIMASA’s Deep Blue Project officials on strategies for maritime domain awareness and inter-agency coordination.

The team also visited the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (RMRCC), where they were briefed on Nigeria’s operational procedures for maritime search and rescue coordination.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, represented by the Director of Marine Environment Management, Heaky Dimowo, reaffirmed NIMASA’s commitment to sustained regional collaboration for improved maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea.

October 14, 2025
NIMASA warns ships on MARPOL compliance in Nigerian waters

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has cautioned all ships operating in Nigerian waters to strictly adhere to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI, which has been domesticated under the Merchant Shipping Act of 2007.

NIMASA Director General Dr. Dayo Mobereola said compliance is not optional.

“Full compliance with MARPOL Annex VI is non-negotiable for all vessels,” he stated. “As Nigeria continues to align its maritime operations with global best practices in safety, security, and environmental protection, we expect every shipowner and operator to take this responsibility seriously.”

Dr. Mobereola explained that the agency has issued clear directives to guide the industry.

Read Also: NIMASA promotes 243 officers

“In line with our statutory mandate under the NIMASA Act 2007 and the Merchant Shipping Act 2007, we have issued a Marine Notice to guide shipowners, charterers, and shipping companies on their obligations,” he said.

He warned that international standards will not be compromised.

“While we encourage shipping businesses in Nigeria, we remain committed to ensuring that international standards are not compromised,” the NIMASA boss stressed.

On enforcement, he said the agency would step up its monitoring role. “NIMASA will continue to intensify monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, while also collaborating with industry stakeholders, to ensure full compliance with international environmental obligations in Nigerian waters,” Dr. Mobereola assured.

The Director General reaffirmed that the protection of Nigeria’s marine environment is a core priority.

“We remain committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s marine environment. This is part of our statutory duty, and it is also part of our responsibility to the global community,” he said.

August 20, 2025
NIMASA promotes 243 officers

The Governing Board of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has approved the promotion of nine Deputy Directors to Directors.

In addition, the board approved the promotion of 30 Assistant Directors to Deputy Directors, 35 Chiefs to Assistant Directors, and ratified the promotion of 169 other staff members from one grade level to the next grade level.

The newly appointed Directors included the Coordinator, Abuja Liaison Office, Mrs. Moji Jimoh; Director Internal Audit, Dr. Odunayo Ani; Special Adviser to the DG, Mrs. Nneka Obianyor; Director Procurement, Mrs. Biodun Fatade; Dr. Oma Ofodile; Ms. Gloria Anyasodo; Mr. Abdulahi Yelwa; Umar Buba and Mr. Umar Ibrahim Sidi.

Read Also: NIMASA shuts two Lagos terminals over security breach

While congratulating the newly promoted officers, Director- General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed management’s commitment to staff welfare and a transparent, merit-based career progression system.

He charged the beneficiaries to rededicate themselves to excellence in service delivery.

“Our administration is committed to improved staff welfare. This promotion exercise is strictly merit-based, and we expect staff to reciprocate by rededicating themselves to higher productivity. We will continue to prioritise staff welfare, while counting on your commitment to the ideals of the agency in helping management actualise its mandate,” Mobereola said.

August 18, 2025
NIMASA promotes 243 officers

The governing board of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has approved the promotion of nine deputy directors to directors, it was learnt.

In addition, the board approved the promotion of 30 Assistant Directors to Deputy Directors, 35 Chiefs to Assistant Directors, and ratified the promotion of 169 other staff members from one grade level to the next grade level .

The newly appointed Directors include the Coordinator, Abuja Liaison Office, Mrs. Moji Jimoh; Director Internal Audit, Dr. Odunayo Ani; Special Adviser to the DG, Mrs. Nneka Obianyor; Director Procurement, Mrs. Biodun Fatade; Dr. Oma Ofodile; Ms. Gloria Anyasodo; Mr. Abdulahi Yelwa; Umar Buba and Mr. Umar Ibrahim Sidi.

Read Also: AI and sustainability: Reforming the reforms of education in Nigeria

While congratulating the newly promoted officers, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed Management’s commitment to staff welfare and a transparent, merit-based career progression system.

He charged the beneficiaries to rededicate themselves to excellence in service delivery.

“Our administration is committed to improved staff welfare. This promotion exercise is strictly merit-based, and we expect staff to reciprocate by rededicating themselves to higher productivity. We will continue to prioritize staff welfare, while counting on your commitment to the ideals of the Agency in helping Management actualise its mandate,” Mobereola said.

August 17, 2025
NIMASA shuts two Lagos terminals over security breach

The management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in its role as the Designated Authority for implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code across the country, has shut down ShellPlux and TMDK Terminals, both located in the Ijegun-Egba area of Lagos State.

The ISPS Code, is an amendment to the SOLAS Convention, was developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to enhance maritime and port security, particularly for facilities engaged in international trade.

The closure of ShellPlux and TMDK Terminals is contained In a statement signed by the image maker of NIMASA, Edward Osagie.

The enforcement action, Osagie said, follows persistent non-compliance by the facilities with the provisions of the ISPS Code, despite several formal warnings to the affected companies.

“The move aligns with global best practices and is in accordance with Section 79(f) of the ISPS Code Implementation Regulations (2014), which mandates the closure of any facility that remains in violation for over three calendar months,” the NIMASA statement reads.

Speaking on the development, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, emphasised the Agency’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain.

Read Also: NIMASA shuts down ShellPlux, TMDK Terminals over violation of security code

“In wielding the big stick, we acted only as a last resort. Our primary goal is to enforce safety and security practices across Nigerian ports and jetties. At a time when we are collaborating with the United States Coast Guard to lift the conditions of entry on vessels from Nigeria, we cannot afford lapses that jeopardise our progress,” he said.

The DG added that the facilities would be reopened once all compliance requirements are satisfactorily met, acknowledging their important role in service delivery and trade facilitation.

“Our Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola is committed to enhanced sustainable trade facilitation for the maritime sector in a safe and conducive environment,” Mobereola said.

July 18, 2025
TMDK denies ISPS non-compliance, urges NIMASA to lift shutdown after security upgrades

TMDK Terminals Ltd. has refuted claims that it was shut down due to “persistent non-compliance” with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, insisting it has never deliberately disregarded maritime security directives and has taken “substantial” steps to enhance compliance.

In an statement on Thursday, the terminal operator said: “Contrary to the impression created, TMDK has never at any time deliberately disregarded compliance directives or security protocols.”

While acknowledging NIMASA’s role as the Designated Authority under the ISPS Code, TMDK described the enforcement action as a result of a “mischaracterisation of our compliance status.”

The company clarified that there had been “no persistent non-compliance,” noting that it had “engaged constructively with NIMASA over the past months and has, in good faith, responded to all correspondences and recommendations from the Agency.”

TMDK added that “any minor lapses identified were promptly addressed,” stressing that “at no point were we under formal notice that we had exceeded the three-month window of non-compliance that could trigger a shutdown under Section 79(f) of the ISPS Code Implementation Regulations, 2014.”

The company said it had, over the past six months, undertaken “substantial upgrades to our port security infrastructure in line with international best practices,” including the “installation of advanced access control systems and surveillance technologies.”

TMDK also revealed that it had been preparing to formally invite the agency for reassessment, stating, “Prior to the enforcement action, TMDK had intended to submit a formal request to NIMASA for a re-inspection of the facility—an indication of our belief that compliance benchmarks should be met. It is disheartening that enforcement was initiated before this re-inspection could be carried out.”

Read Also: NANS, AAUA students leaders meet Ondo Police Commissioner over rising insecurity

While expressing reluctance to escalate the matter publicly, the terminal operator said it was “compelled to defend our operational integrity and correct public misperceptions.”

“We remain fully committed to all statutory requirements under the ISPS Code and request NIMASA to conduct an immediate re-evaluation of our facility with a view to lifting the shutdown and restoring normal terminal operations.”

The company warned that the prolonged closure of its terminal threatens critical cargo movement and trade facilitation. “Our terminal handles critical cargo for domestic and regional markets, and the continued closure has far-reaching implications on supply chain efficiency and trade facilitation.”

The company called for collaborative engagement, stating, “TMDK Terminals remains a willing partner in the national quest for secure, compliant, and efficient maritime facilities. We call on NIMASA to collaborate with stakeholders in an atmosphere of mutual respect and transparency as we all work toward enhancing Nigeria’s maritime security posture in line with global expectations.”

July 18, 2025
NIMASA shuts down ShellPlux, TMDK Terminals over violation of security code

The management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in its role as the Designated Authority for implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code across the country, has shut down ShellPlux and TMDK Terminals, both located in the Ijegun-Egba area of Lagos State.

The ISPS Code, is an amendment to the SOLAS Convention, was developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to enhance maritime and port security, particularly for facilities engaged in international trade.

The closure of ShellPlux and TMDK Terminals is contained In a statement signed by the image maker of NIMASA, Edward Osagie.

The enforcement action, Osagie said, follows persistent non-compliance by the facilities with the provisions of the ISPS Code, despite several formal warnings to the affected companies.

“The move aligns with global best practices and is in accordance with Section 79(f) of the ISPS Code Implementation Regulations (2014), which mandates the closure of any facility that remains in violation for over three calendar months,” the NIMASA statement reads.

Read Also: Tinubu appoints board for NIMASA

Speaking on the development, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, emphasised the Agency’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain.

“In wielding the big stick, we acted only as a last resort. Our primary goal is to enforce safety and security practices across Nigerian ports and jetties. At a time when we are collaborating with the United States Coast Guard to lift the conditions of entry on vessels from Nigeria, we cannot afford lapses that jeopardise our progress,” he said.

The DG added that the facilities would be reopened once all compliance requirements are satisfactorily met, acknowledging their important role in service delivery and trade facilitation.

“Our Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola is committed to enhanced sustainable trade facilitation for the maritime sector in a safe and conducive environment,” Mobereola said.

July 17, 2025