Standing as the vanguard of Nigeria’s Blue Economy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has distinguished itself as the nation’s foremost maritime regulator and promoter.
Created in August 2006 through the strategic merger of the National Maritime Authority (NMA) and the Joint Maritime Labour Industrial Council (JOMALIC), the Agency has evolved into a critical engine of national development, tasked with the immense responsibility of ensuring safe, secure, and efficient shipping across Nigeria’s territorial and inland waters.
NIMASA is being honoured by NewsDirect as the Government Agency of the Year in recognition of a transformative year defined by a fortified maritime security architecture and a reinvigorated regulatory framework.
Under its current leadership, the Agency has successfully operationalized its Triple “S” Performance Tripod, Maritime Security, Maritime Safety, and Shipping Development. This strategic focus has significantly de-risked Nigeria’s waterways, reinforced the nation’s standing in global maritime rankings, and restored investor confidence in the sector.
The Agency’s selection for this award is further justified by its visible achievements in enforcing the Cabotage regime and advancing seafarer capacity building. By intensifying Port State and Flag State control inspections and expanding search-and-rescue coordination, NIMASA has created a safer and more competitive maritime environment. Its mandate, rooted in the NIMASA Act 2007, Merchant Shipping Act 2007, and Cabotage Act 2003, is being executed with renewed vigour, balancing commercial interests with strict environmental stewardship and marine pollution control.
Beyond regulation, NIMASA has championed indigenous participation in coastal shipping while ensuring compliance with international conventions from the IMO and ILO. The operational renaissance at the Agency is driven by strong institutional values Commitment, Accountability, Professionalism, Integrity, Teamwork, Excellence, Leadership, and Discipline (CAPITEL-D) which have become the bedrock of its service delivery.
Steering this vision is the Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, whose leadership has been pivotal in driving operational efficiency. Supported by a formidable executive team comprising Chudi Offodile (Finance & Administration), Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi (Operations), and Jibril Abba (Maritime Labour & Cabotage Services), the Agency continues to aggressively pursue its vision of being the leading maritime administration in Africa, ensuring that Nigeria’s oceans remain cleaner, safer, and economically prosperous.
