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The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmo, Sweden to enhance capacity development and boost the gains of the Nigerian maritime sector.
Speaking shortly after the virtual signing of the MoU, Director General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, stressed that there was no substitute for education.
His words: “Our collaboration with the World Maritime University is to advance maritime interest, while addressing the changing needs of the maritime industry based on sustainable capacity development; as education, training and capacity building play a critical role in developing shipping in any nation.”
Jamoh disclosed that the agency is at an advanced stage in setting up a Regional Maritime Safety and Security Research Centre to enhance research works. The centre is to take care of capacity development in 25 African countries.
“Graduates from the WMU, who is in the employ of the agency will serve as researchers and resource persons, sharing knowledge and hopefully develop a research-based sustainable framework to provide a solution to issues of insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea.
“NIMASA Regional Maritime Safety and Security Research Centre will be a centre of excellence in research and we will collaborate and cooperate with other countries,” he said
On her part, the President of the WMU, Dr Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, noted that NIMASA was poised to play a leading role in developing capacity for the maritime industry in the Gulf of Guinea region.
She commended Nigerian students, who have passed through the university and supported the agreement, adding that NIMASA remains one of the first supporters of WMU. Accordingly, she stated that the initiative also supports the WMU’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Nigeria leads, others follow. WMU is delighted to be associated with NIMASA and its work, which extends beyond national boundaries and has a significant effect on the entire region. We are also pleased to have such a successful and warm relationship with NIMASA and its staff–it is a perfect example of international cooperation for sustainable growth.
“I look forward to the fruitful outcome of our collaborative efforts as articulated in the Memorandum and based on the principles of equity, reciprocity and mutual benefit,” she added.
The agreement provides for maritime education, training, research and capacity building for officers of NIMASA with no fewer than 10 officers funded yearly by the agency to study at WMU in the MSc in Maritime Affairs programme based in Malmo, Sweden.
She explained that under the agreement, NIMASA would sponsor at least one officer yearly to study in the WMU/IMLI MPhil programme in International Maritime Law and Ocean Policy and that it also provides for WMU to develop and organise short-term, specialised Executive Professional Development Courses (EPDCs) for NIMASA officers.
