…As Tanzania backs Nigeria’s IMO Category C bid
By Steve Agbota
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) have agreed to formalise a long-term partnership focused on addressing common maritime challenges, enhancing regulatory capacity and boosting youth employment across the continent.
The strategic partnership, which was initiated during a visit by TASAC officials to the NIMASA headquarters in Lagos, is expected to cover key areas including maritime safety, flag and port state control, seafarer certification, digital transformation, and environmental protection frameworks.
Receiving the delegation, Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said that the visit goes beyond ceremonial diplomacy, while describing it as a foundation for structured, continent-wide maritime engagement.
“This study visit represents a valuable opportunity for our agencies to share expertise, best practices, and innovative solutions to common maritime challenges. We are not only here to share what we’ve achieved, but also to learn from TASAC. We view this as a mutually beneficial partnership,” he added.
According to him, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, had endorsed the initiative, citing similarities in policy direction and a shared commitment to unlocking Africa’s blue economy potential.
He pointed out the areas of collaboration, including oversight mechanisms, flag and port state control, ship registration, oil pollution compensation systems, seafarer training and certification, financial sustainability in maritime administration, and digital transformation.
However, he cited the Deep Blue project as one of NIMASA’s key successes in tackling maritime insecurity but stressed that such efforts must be complemented by regional cooperation.
“Our Deep Blue project has helped enhance security in Nigeria’s waters, but maritime threats are transnational and require collective approaches. This collaboration is timely,” he said.
He also expressed NIMASA’s readiness to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding with TASAC, which is currently being reviewed by NIMASA’s legal and technical teams.
He noted the importance of the partnership in advancing Africa’s unified voice on the global maritime stage, especially at international bodies such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
“African maritime administrations must begin to coordinate their positions on critical issues such as market-based measures for the green transition. We must also explore comparative advantages in maritime energy and alternative fuels.”
On the continent’s rising role in seafarer supply, Mobereola said both countries can develop maritime human capital through coordinated training programmes and create jobs for Africa’s growing youth population.
In response, Mr Mohammed Salumu, Director General of TASAC, applauded NIMASA’s regulatory reforms and technical progress, particularly in maritime security and digitalisation.
He said that TASAC was particularly interested in learning more about Nigeria’s approach to port and flag state control, ship registry processes, maritime training structures, and how NIMASA sustains its operations financially.
Salumu, who was represented by Mrs. Leticia Mutaki, Director of Maritime Safety, Security and Environmental Protection, who led the delegation, said
“Your Deep Blue security framework is impressive, and your investments in human capacity development are commendable,” Shaute said. Tanzania is keen to learn from your systems, especially in areas of certification, flag state inspections, and seafarer welfare,” he added.
He also noted that the visit had a dual purpose — to learn and to offer support, adding that Tanzania would back Nigeria’s bid to retain its Category C seat at the International Maritime Organisation.
“We believe Nigeria’s position on the IMO Council is vital for the region and the continent at large. Tanzania will continue to support this ambition,” he added.
The TASAC DG described the visit as the beginning of “an important technical alliance” and assured that TASAC would also share best practices from its own regulatory environment to support mutual growth.
Both sides expressed optimism that the collaboration would yield a formal partnership that would promote operational efficiency, improved compliance, and a united African voice in maritime policy decisions.