President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed six critical conventions from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), marking a significant step for Nigeria in aligning its maritime standards with international practices. This move sets the stage for Nigeria to formally submit these accession instruments to the IMO headquarters, the official repository for such conventions. The decision is expected to bolster Nigeria’s maritime governance, enhancing safety, security, and environmental protection across its waters.
The newly signed conventions include the Protocol of 2005 to the 1988 Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms on the Continental Shelf; International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (1995); Protocol Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Pollution by Substances other than Oil (1973, as amended); Protocol of 1996 to Amend the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC, 1976); Protocol to the 1974 Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and Their Luggage by Sea (2002) and the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (2009).
During the formal presentation of the signed instruments to Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), praised the Minister for facilitating the long-awaited signings. Dr. Mobereola acknowledged that these conventions had been pending for six to eight years and highlighted the significance of Nigeria’s enhanced status with the IMO.
Minister Oyetola emphasised President Tinubu’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s maritime sector to meet global standards, assuring stakeholders that this administration is determined to establish Nigeria as a key player in international maritime decision-making.
The supervising Ministry, in collaboration with NIMASA, will manage the official deposit of the ratified instruments at IMO, formally confirming Nigeria’s participation in these pivotal conventions.
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