By Godwin Oritse
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation, enhance regional maritime governance and promote the sustainable development of the Blue Economy in West Africa.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Lagos, NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, thanked Ghana for its support during Nigeria’s successful re-election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Category C Council, noting that both countries have maintained a strong partnership in advancing maritime development in the region.
Mobereola said the MoU provides a framework for collaboration in maritime safety and security, mutual recognition of Certificates of Competency (CoC), capacity building, knowledge sharing, comparative research, joint enforcement initiatives and cooperation at international maritime fora.
He stressed that the agreement should deliver measurable outcomes through a structured implementation process.
“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 noted that Nigeria and Ghana, as leading maritime nations in the sub-region, have a shared responsibility to drive maritime development in West and Central Africa, adding that the partnership would also promote wider regional collaboration and unlock the potential of the Blue Economy.
Under the agreement, both agencies will establish a Joint Consultative Team (JCT) to coordinate implementation, develop action plans and monitor agreed programmes. The team will meet twice a year, with meetings hosted alternately by Nigeria and Ghana.
The MoU is expected to strengthen maritime governance, improve institutional capacity, support evidence-based policymaking through comparative research, enhance regulatory effectiveness and deepen cooperation against piracy, armed robbery at sea and other maritime security threats in the Gulf of Guinea.
Also speaking, Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, described the agreement as a significant milestone in the relationship between both maritime administrations.
He acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role in the region and said Ghana has benefited from Nigerian maritime initiatives, including its cabotage regime, ship registry and regulatory frameworks.
Ali reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to implementing the agreement and strengthening cooperation to advance maritime administration across the region.
