The Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have expressed readiness to deepen collaboration in the areas of hydrography, maritime security and wreck removal as part of efforts to sustain improved safety of navigation within Nigerian waters.
This position was reiterated during a familiarisation visit by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command (FOC-WNC), Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, to the headquarters of NIMASA, where he reviewed the existing partnership between both institutions and identified areas requiring stronger operational synergy.
Rear Admiral Mustapha noted that the collaboration between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy over the years has contributed to the relative calm currently being experienced in Nigeria’s maritime domain, particularly in the areas of piracy suppression, maritime surveillance and enforcement. According to him, the gains recorded so far underscore the importance of sustained cooperation between both agencies.
He stressed that increased collaboration in hydrographic activities would further enhance safety of navigation, especially as Nigeria continues to contend with the challenge of submerged wrecks and navigational hazards along its coastal and inland waterways. The naval chief pointed out that the deployment of modern hydrographic vessels has improved the capacity to accurately identify the location, depth and size of wrecks, a development he said would significantly support NIMASA’s wreck removal operations.
Mustapha further highlighted the importance of enhanced information sharing between both agencies, noting that the integration of NIMASA’s Command, Control, Communication, Computer and Intelligence (C4i) Centre with the Nigerian Navy’s Falcon Eye system would strengthen maritime domain awareness and improve response time to security threats within Nigerian waters.
He also commended NIMASA for its role in providing and maintaining platforms acquired under the Deep Blue Project, which are operated by the Nigerian Navy. According to him, the availability of these platforms has enhanced naval operations and contributed to improved enforcement and surveillance across the maritime domain.
The FOC West specifically referenced the deployment of advanced naval assets such as NNS Lana and NNS Ochuzor, stating that their operational capabilities have contributed to improved safety standards in the maritime sector. He added that sustaining these gains would require continuous joint efforts between the Navy and NIMASA, particularly in hydrographic surveys and wreck management.
Responding, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, described maritime security as central to the Federal Government’s broader economic objectives, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the administration’s economic diversification drive.
Mobereola noted that a safe and secure maritime environment remains critical to attracting investment into the shipping and maritime sector, stressing that confidence from shipping companies and other investors is largely dependent on effective security and safety standards within Nigeria’s territorial waters.
He said the maritime sector occupies a strategic position in the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda, adding that NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy share a collective responsibility to ensure that the maritime space is conducive for commercial activities to thrive.
The NIMASA boss also acknowledged the role of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, in driving reforms and supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening the sector, noting that sustained policy support remains critical to achieving long-term improvements in maritime safety, security and economic performance.
Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening operational collaboration, information sharing and technical capacity in order to address emerging challenges in navigation safety, wreck removal and maritime security across Nigerian waters.
