By Sandra Chukwunyere
Agreement between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) strengthens regional collaboration on maritime safety, security, institutional development, and sustainable Blue Economy growth across West Africa.
Nigeria and Ghana have taken another step towards strengthening regional maritime cooperation with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA).
The agreement was signed in Lagos and is designed to deepen collaboration in maritime safety and security, institutional development, capacity building, and the sustainable growth of the Blue Economy across West Africa.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, thanked the Government of Ghana for supporting Nigeria’s successful re-election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Category C Council. He described the relationship between the two countries as longstanding and strategic, adding that it continues to contribute significantly to maritime development in the region.
According to Mobereola, the agreement provides a structured platform for both maritime administrations to work more closely. The areas of cooperation include maritime safety and security, mutual recognition of Certificates of Competency (CoC), comparative research, knowledge sharing, institutional capacity building, coordinated enforcement activities, and cooperation at international maritime fora.
He stressed that the success of the MoU would depend on effective implementation rather than the signing ceremony alone.
“We will continue to work together to grow our economies and make the maritime sector safer. This Memorandum of Understanding is a commitment to do better. NIMASA will fully play its part in implementing the agreement, while both institutions must establish annual implementation agendas to monitor progress and deliver tangible results,” he said.
Mobereola added that, as two of the leading maritime nations in West Africa, Nigeria and Ghana have a collective responsibility to shape the future of maritime development in the sub-region.
He expressed confidence that the partnership would deliver benefits beyond both countries by fostering wider regional cooperation capable of unlocking the enormous potential of Africa’s Blue Economy.
Under the agreement, both maritime administrations will establish a Joint Consultative Team (JCT) to develop action plans, coordinate implementation, and monitor agreed programmes through designated focal persons. The JCT will meet twice yearly, with meetings hosted alternately by Nigeria and Ghana to review implementation progress, evaluate cooperation activities, and strengthen bilateral engagement.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen maritime governance, improve regulatory effectiveness, enhance institutional capacity, promote evidence-based policymaking through comparative research, and reinforce joint efforts to combat piracy, armed robbery at sea, and maritime terrorism, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, described the MoU as another milestone in the longstanding relationship between the two maritime administrations.
He acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role in the regional maritime sector, noting that Ghana has benefited from several Nigerian initiatives, including the country’s Cabotage regime, ship registry, and regulatory frameworks.
“This Memorandum of Understanding consolidates an already mutually beneficial relationship. Ghana remains fully committed to implementing every aspect of the agreement as we continue to learn from one another and work together to strengthen maritime administration across the region,” he said.
The agreement underscores the commitment of both maritime administrations to advancing regional integration, enhancing maritime safety and security, and promoting sustainable economic growth through stronger institutional collaboration.
The details were contained in a press release issued by Osagie Edward, FNIPR, Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations, NIMASA.This headline is broad, engaging, and well suited to general newspapers while the standfirst provides readers with the specific focus of the agreement.
