The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said that declining war risk insurance premiums on vessels operating in Nigerian waters reflect the country’s improving maritime security after four consecutive years without piracy incidents.
NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola made the disclosure at the graduation of 177 personnel trained under the Deep Blue Maritime Operations programme in Lagos, describing the achievement as a major boost to Nigeria’s global maritime standing and investor confidence.
Mobereola said the Deep Blue Project had played a key role in securing Nigeria’s waterways and reducing security-related shipping costs across the Gulf of Guinea.
He added that the improved security environment also contributed to Nigeria’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization.
The newly trained operatives, drawn from specialised maritime and security units, underwent intensive instruction in helicopter operations, vessel boarding, interceptor boat tactics, unmanned aerial systems and combat medical response.
Mobereola said the training would strengthen rapid-response capabilities and help sustain Nigeria’s anti-piracy gains, while commending Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola and security agencies for supporting the initiative.
Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, represented by Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, described the Deep Blue Project as a model of inter-agency cooperation, saying the graduation marked a renewed commitment to securing Nigeria’s maritime domain and the wider Gulf of Guinea.