*NIMASA Deepens Regional Partnership as Seafarer Certification Takes Focus*

*NIMASA Deepens Regional Partnership as Seafarer Certification Takes Focus*

By prince Benson Davies

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency is intensifying regional cooperation on seafarer training and certification, with digital systems and compliance now driving conversations across West Africa. The renewed engagement came to the fore during a technical exchange with officials of the Gambia Maritime Administration, where both countries explored ways to strengthen oversight of seafarer documentation in line with global standards.

For Nigeria, the emphasis on digitization is not new, but the urgency has grown as shipping lines and regulators demand more transparency and real-time verification of crew certificates. NIMASA officials told their Gambian counterparts that the Agency has moved key certification processes online to reduce bottlenecks, curb fraud, and improve tracking. The system now allows verification of seafarer documents within minutes, a shift that industry players say is improving Nigeria’s standing as a reliable source of trained maritime personnel.

The Gambian delegation was particularly interested in how Nigeria built capacity for assessors, examiners and training institutions under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, STCW. Discussions covered how NIMASA audits training centers, conducts competency tests, and integrates its database with port and immigration checks to close gaps in certification. The Gambian side noted that adopting similar structures would help them meet international compliance requirements and reduce reliance on foreign certification bodies.

Beyond systems and procedures, both administrations agreed that collaboration must be continuous. NIMASA stressed that maritime safety cannot be achieved in isolation, especially in a region where vessels, crews and cargo move across multiple jurisdictions. The Agency offered to support The Gambia through technical training, periodic peer reviews, and shared learning on digital monitoring of certificates of proficiency and endorsements. The goal, officials said, is to build a West African bloc where seafarer credentials are trusted globally and regional mobility for qualified crew is seamless.

The four-day study visit ended with commitments from both sides to formalize areas of cooperation and set up working teams to monitor implementation. For NIMASA, the engagement reinforces its broader strategy of using technology and partnerships to position Nigeria as a maritime administration of reference in Africa, while helping neighboring states meet their obligations under international maritime law.