NIMASA Partners ILO Training Centre to Boost Maritime Workforce Skills

NIMASA Partners ILO Training Centre to Boost Maritime Workforce Skills
By prince Benson Davies

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organisation, ITC-ILO, to strengthen human capacity and professional standards across Nigeria’s maritime sector.

The MoU, signed in Turin, Italy, will provide targeted technical assistance, training programmes, and capacity-building initiatives for NIMASA staff and key industry stakeholders. The goal is to align Nigeria’s maritime workforce with evolving global industry requirements and best practices.

Speaking at the signing, NIMASA Director General Dr. Dayo Mobereola said investing in people remains at the core of the Agency’s strategy for a competitive and resilient maritime industry. He was represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Chudi Offodile.

Offodile explained that the partnership directly supports NIMASA’s structured approach to professional development. Through the agreement, the ITC-ILO will bring its global expertise to train maritime labour inspectors, policymakers, and trainers, with special focus on the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended.

Dr. Mobereola noted that the collaboration goes beyond training. It is designed to produce measurable improvements in maritime labour administration and to ensure Nigeria’s maritime sector is safe, professionally managed, globally respected, and anchored on decent work principles.

Director of the ITC-ILO, Mr. Christopher Perrin, welcomed the partnership and pledged the Centre’s full support. He said ITC-ILO will deploy its faculty and resources to advance Nigeria’s push for sustainable human capacity development in the maritime space.

The MoU follows several months of strategic engagements between both organisations. NIMASA’s Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Jibril Abba, and ITC-ILO’s Head of Training, Giuseppe Zefola, served as focal persons for the process. ILO Regional Adviser and Technical Expert, Dr. Amos Kuje, also provided guidance.

Both parties expect the partnership to upgrade Nigeria’s maritime labour curriculum, improve regulatory compliance, and raise the overall skill level of professionals operating in the sector.

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PHOTO CAPTIONS

Photo 1:
Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NIMASA, Mr. Chudi Offodile, and Director and Head of ITC-ILO, Christopher Perrin, during the MoU signing on capacity development and Maritime Labour Curriculum development in Turin, Italy.

Photo 2:
Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NIMASA, Mr. Chudi Offodile; Director and Head of ITC-ILO, Christopher Perrin; and Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Mr. Jibril Abba, at the MoU signing with ITC-ILO in Turin, Italy.

Photo 3:
Officials of NIMASA and ITC-ILO after the signing of the MoU on capacity development and Maritime Labour Curriculum development in Turin, Italy. From left: Dr. Zainab Kyari, Special Assistant to Executive Director Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA; Dr. Amos Hosea Kuje, Regional Advisor and Technical Expert on Maritime Labour Conventions; Mr. Heaky Dimowo, Director, Legal Services, NIMASA; Giuseppe Zefola, Head of Training, ITC-ILO; Mr. Chudi Offodile, Executive Director Finance and Administration, NIMASA; Christopher Perrin, Director and Head of ITC-ILO; Mr. Jibril Abba, Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services; and Mrs. Moji A. Jimoh, Director of Administration and Human Resource, NIMASA.