Mobereola hails Nigeria’s port safety milestone, launches regional capacity-building programme

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has hailed Nigeria’s attainment of a major Port State Control (PSC) milestone, saying the country’s performance reflects its growing commitment to maritime safety, regulatory compliance and regional leadership.

Speaking on Monday at the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (Abuja MoU) Regional Workshop for Directors-General and Chief Executive Officers of Maritime Administrations in Lagos, Mobereola disclosed that Nigeria inspected 917 vessels in 2025, achieving a Port State Control inspection rate of 23.5 per cent, well above the Abuja MoU minimum benchmark of 15 per cent.

He described the achievement as evidence of Nigeria’s resolve to enforce international maritime conventions, eliminate substandard vessels from its waters, enhance environmental protection and strengthen confidence in the nation’s port system.

As part of efforts to consolidate the gains, the NIMASA Director-General also launched a five-year Port State Control Capacity-Building Programme, jointly supported by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation and the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding.

According to him, the initiative is designed to strengthen the technical competence of Port State Control officers, improve institutional capacity and promote regulatory excellence among maritime administrations across West and Central Africa.

Mobereola noted that effective Port State Control remains one of the most critical tools for ensuring that ships operating within the region comply with international standards on safety, security, crew welfare and environmental protection.

He stressed that the maritime industry is undergoing rapid transformation driven by digitalisation, decarbonisation and evolving global regulations, making continuous capacity development essential for maritime regulators.

The NIMASA boss, however, observed that despite notable progress, only 16 of the 22 member states of the Abuja MoU currently conduct regular Port State Control inspections, underscoring the need for stronger regional collaboration, sustained investment in human capital and improved institutional performance.

“The Abuja MoU derives its strength from our collective commitment. By sharing knowledge, strengthening institutions and embracing international best practices, we can continue to improve maritime safety standards across the region,” he said.

Mobereola commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for providing strategic leadership that has accelerated reforms in Nigeria’s maritime sector, while also acknowledging the Chairman of the Abuja MoU and The Gambia’s Minister of Transport, Hon. Ebrima Sillah, for his commitment to regional maritime cooperation.

He also praised the Secretary-General of the Abuja MoU, Captain Sunday Umoren, for facilitating the partnership with the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, which made the capacity-building programme possible.

Port State Control is an internationally recognised inspection regime that enables maritime authorities to verify that foreign ships visiting their ports comply with global conventions on safety, security, pollution prevention and seafarers’ welfare. Nigeria’s inspection performance places it comfortably above the regional compliance threshold and reinforces its position as one of the leading maritime administrations in West and Central Africa.

Mobereola expressed optimism that the workshop and the newly inaugurated capacity-building programme would further strengthen maritime governance, improve inspection standards and contribute to safer, more efficient shipping operations across the sub-region.