Naval officers from 20 countries have visited the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to exchange ideas and strengthen international cooperation on maritime security.
The officers are currently taking part in the Siren Course onboard the French Navy ship LHD TONNERRE.
Their visit to NIMASA, which took place during a two-day stopover in Lagos, was aimed at learning how Nigeria manages maritime safety and security within the framework of the Yaoundé Architecture — a regional system for tackling piracy and other maritime threats in West and Central Africa.
Leading the delegation, the French Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Stéphane Oseo, said the team wanted to better understand how maritime administrations work together in the region.
He described the collaboration between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy as a model partnership, noting its success in improving security coordination in the Gulf of Guinea.
The 40 participants met with officials from NIMASA’s Deep Blue Project, who shared insights on maritime surveillance and inter-agency cooperation.
They also visited the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (RMRCC), where they learnt about Nigeria’s approach to maritime search and rescue operations.
Speaking on behalf of NIMASA’s Director General, the Director of Marine Environment Management, Heaky Dimowo, reaffirmed NIMASA’s commitment to working closely with regional and international partners to ensure safer seas across the Gulf of Guinea.
“Collaboration remains the key to keeping our waters secure. NIMASA will continue to build strong partnerships to promote maritime safety and protect the region’s blue economy,” he said.
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