The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh has emphasized the pivotal role of academia in propelling the development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy. During a courtesy visit from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) management, led by Vice Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola, Jamoh expressed NIMASA’s commitment to fostering the growth of the Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS) located in UNILAG.
Jamoh urged UNILAG to formulate and execute a comprehensive five-year action plan, aiming to position the IMS as a research hub for reshaping the Blue Economy as a primary contributor to the nation’s economic landscape. The Director General highlighted Nigeria’s vast maritime potential as the driving force behind this initiative.
“In the next four to five years, both NIMASA and UNILAG should be able to boast of important research milestones achieved by the Institute of Maritime Studies,” stated Dr. Jamoh. He emphasized the importance of international collaboration, envisioning an institute with a global focus and the inclusion of students from other African countries.
The DG also called for the harmonization of the sixteen Memoranda of Understanding signed by NIMASA with various universities across Nigeria. This standardization aims to guide the IMS in UNILAG towards achieving its objectives.
UNILAG’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ogunsola, reassured NIMASA of the university’s dedication to transforming maritime education in Nigeria. Prof. Ogunsola emphasized the need for NIMASA to complete the UNILAG-IMS building project and expressed UNILAG’s willingness to form partnerships with local and international entities.
The goal according to her is to position UNILAG as a leading force in the maritime sector, focusing on capacity building, research, certification, industry engagement, and global exchange opportunities for students.
The UNILAG-NIMASA Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS) building, one of six projects strategically positioned across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, reflects NIMASA’s commitment to providing the necessary manpower for the contemporary maritime industry through comprehensive theoretical and practical training.
