The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, has praised Nigeria for its proactive role in maintaining the safety and security of commercial shipping in the Gulf of Guinea. This commendation comes at a time when increasing shipping traffic in the region has been driven by instability in the Red Sea.
During a meeting with Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), at the IMO headquarters in London, Dominguez expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s efforts.
He acknowledged that despite concerns over heightened activity in the Gulf of Guinea due to the Red Sea situation, Nigeria has effectively managed to keep the region stable.
Dominguez stated, “I want to appreciate Nigeria’s progress in securing the Gulf of Guinea. Given the pressures arising from the Red Sea, it is encouraging to see that the situation has remained stable. We at IMO have been working closely with NIMASA, and we look forward to strengthening this partnership.”
Furthermore, Dominguez noted that Dr. Mobereola’s discussions with the IMO technical team to address gaps identified in Nigeria’s 2016 IMO audit were promising steps toward sustained improvement.
“Your engagement with our technical staff to close these gaps before the next audit cycle is commendable, and we are ready to provide any necessary technical support,” he added.
In addition to praising Nigeria’s maritime security efforts, the IMO Secretary-General announced the organisation’s plans to enhance the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS), aiming to improve information management services for member states.
Mobereola, in response, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to becoming a recognized leader in global maritime diplomacy.
He emphasised his administration’s focus on strengthening maritime safety and security, citing the recent establishment of Nigeria’s Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as evidence of the government’s dedication.
“My tenure will leverage both local and international relationships to sustain the momentum in Nigeria’s maritime domain. Our goal is for Nigeria to play an active leading role not only within the region but also on the global maritime stage,” he said.
Mobereola also highlighted his intention to collaborate with the IMO before the upcoming audit cycle.
He noted, “I realised today that certain critical information about our administration needs updating. We do not view the IMO audit as merely an examination but as a guiding tool to help Nigeria reach its potential. For this reason, I am personally committed to getting the fundamentals right.”
Additionally, he announced that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has established a committee to address the concerns outlined in the 2016 IMO audit report. This committee will focus on updating NIMASA’s enabling laws and implementing corrective measures as part of a comprehensive action plan for improvement.
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