The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, has commended Nigeria for strengthening its maritime administration and advancing the effective implementation of IMO instruments.
Dominguez particularly commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, for his leadership and dedication to the sector.
“Nigeria is a strong example of maritime leadership and has always played an important and active role within the IMO, contributing meaningfully to the organisation’s work and the advancement of global maritime governance,” Dominguez noted.
“I highly value your personal commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy sectors and your strong support for the work of the IMO. I was especially pleased to note the significant progress in maritime education, including the development of the new building for maritime studies at the University of Lagos, as well as the advances achieved through the Deep Blue Project. Your leadership in promoting collaboration on decarbonisation and the transition to greener shipping is also commendable and greatly appreciated,” he said in a letter dated 9 October 2025.
Dominguez also lauded the efforts of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), particularly highlighting the success of the Deep Blue Project in curbing piracy within Nigeria’s territorial waters and across the wider Gulf of Guinea region.
“I was particularly pleased to see first-hand the important work being undertaken by NIMASA to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime administration and to advance the effective implementation of IMO instruments,” the IMO Secretary-General stated.
“Your agency’s efforts to enhance maritime safety, security, and environmental protection clearly demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to upholding international standards and supporting the objectives of the International Maritime Organization. The Deep Blue Project continues to stand out as a major achievement, significantly improving maritime domain awareness and contributing to a safer and more secure Gulf of Guinea. I encourage NIMASA to maintain its focus on the long-term sustainability of the project so that it may serve as a model for wider regional security frameworks.”
Dominguez also commended NIMASA for Nigeria’s active participation in IMO’s technical cooperation and capacity-building programmes, noting the agency’s engagement in key initiatives related to decarbonisation, digitalisation, and seafarer training.
“These efforts are instrumental in ensuring that Nigeria remains a strong example of maritime leadership and an active contributor to the work of the IMO,” he said.
The IMO Secretary-General further expressed optimism for continued collaboration between the IMO and NIMASA in advancing shared objectives for a safe, secure, and sustainable maritime sector.
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