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NIMASA, GHANA MARITIME AUTHORITY SIGN PACT TO DEEPEN WEST AFRICAN MARITIME COOPERATION
By Prince Benson Davies
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and the Ghana Maritime Authority have entered a new partnership aimed at boosting maritime governance, improving safety, and unlocking opportunities in the Blue Economy across West Africa.
The agreement, formalized in Lagos, is a Memorandum of Understanding that sets out a joint roadmap for closer collaboration between both countries. Officials say it is expected to improve regulatory alignment, strengthen enforcement, and expand opportunities for seafarers and maritime businesses in the sub-region.
The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, who signed on behalf of Nigeria, commended Ghana for its support during Nigeria’s recent re-election to the IMO Category C Council. He said the relationship between both maritime administrations has continued to grow and now requires a more structured approach to deliver real impact.
According to Mobereola, the MoU covers several priority areas including maritime safety and security, mutual recognition of Certificates of Competency, institutional training, research exchange, and coordinated action at international maritime meetings. He stressed that the agreement must move beyond paper and translate into concrete results through clear implementation plans.
“We share the responsibility to make our waters safer and our economies stronger. This MoU is a commitment to do exactly that. NIMASA will play its role fully, and we must both set annual targets and review mechanisms to track progress,” he stated.
He further noted that as two of the leading maritime nations in West and Central Africa, Nigeria and Ghana have a duty to drive regional development. The partnership, he added, should also create ripple effects that benefit neighboring countries by supporting integration and sustainable use of ocean resources.
To ensure effective delivery, both agencies will set up a Joint Consultative Team. The team will be responsible for drafting action plans, assigning focal persons, and monitoring implementation. It will meet two times each year, with hosting duties rotating between Abuja and Accra, to assess progress and adjust priorities.
The MoU is also expected to strengthen regulatory systems, support data-driven policy making through joint research, and enhance joint efforts against piracy, armed robbery at sea, and other maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.
The Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, described the agreement as a key step in consolidating years of cooperation between both institutions. He acknowledged Nigeria’s influence in the region and said Ghana has benefited from Nigeria’s experience in areas such as cabotage enforcement, ship registration, and regulatory reforms.
“This MoU builds on an already strong foundation. Ghana is fully committed to implementing it and to learning from each other as we work to improve maritime administration in the region,” he said.
With the agreement now in place, both NIMASA and GMA say they will focus on building stronger institutions, promoting safer shipping, and creating an enabling environment for Blue Economy growth in West Africa.
