Maritime
Nigeria to rid its waterways of piracy, other maritime crimes – Minister
Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, has reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to rid the nation’s maritime domain of sea piracy and other organised crimes. Agba, who was represented by Dr Sampson Ebimaro, Director, Bilateral Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, said this at the graduation of participants of Anti-piracy Course 4/2023 on Friday, in Abuja. The course was organised by Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peace Keeping Centre (MLAILPKC) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the support of the Government of Japan. Agba, while stressing that reports had shown that there was significant decline in the incidences of maritime crimes, said that the Federal Government had continued to support initiatives, projects and programmes that would consolidate measures against sea piracy.
According to him, the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has recently launched the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure also known as the Deep blue project. He said the project also set up the Maritime Security Unit comprising the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air force, Nigerian Police, and Department of State Services to conduct simulation exercise and surveillances in the region. “Deep blue project is the first integrated maritime Security strategy in West and Central Africa which aimed to tackle incidences of piracy, sea robbery and maritime crimes. The Nigerian Maritime Administration and safety Agency (NIMASA) in collaboration with Nigerian navy and other specialised MDAs have equally taken step to mitigate issues of piracy and established rules of engagement for Anti-piracy operations,” he said.
The minister said the anti-piracy course was part of government efforts to build skills and capacity on anti-piracy operations with a view to further consolidate towards militating against the incidences of piracy, sea robbery and maritime crimes on sea. He said that the Ministry of Finance had demonstrated its commitment to ensure sustain collaboration with the MLAILPKC on related initiatives, adding that it would continue to encourage more training of officers and personnel in anti-piracy operations. According to him, the course which will eventually be applicable to addressing issues of maritime crimes and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. He commended the support of key international organisations such as UNDP and Government of Japan towards hosting the anti-piracy course. The Commandant of MLALCPK, Maj.-Gen. Parker Undiandeye, said the objective of the course was to enhance the collective understanding of participants on piracy especially in the Gulf of Guinea. Undiandeye expressed confidence that the participants had received the requisite training and broadened their knowledge on the root causes of piracy and methods of combating it especially in the GoG.
He said the course might have drawn their attention to the complexity and dynamism associated with piracy in particular and other transnational organised crimes. “It is hoped that what you have learnt here would reflect on your performances and general conduct in your various organisations as well as places of deployment/work. Therefore, as you graduate today, you must always remember that so much has been given to you and as such, so much more would be expected from you. I urge you not to see the Course only in terms of certificates acquired but its utility must manifest in contributions you can make,” he said. The UNDP Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security, Mr Matthew Alao, commended the centre for the successful organisation and execution of the course. Alao said the government of Japan had also approved funding for another period of training to be undertaken by MLAILPKC with UNDP.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has expressed confidence that the Maritime Labour E-Platform would boost the sector’s competitiveness as it hosted a workshop to sensitize users of the portal through practical demonstrations and interactive sessions. Held in Lagos, the workshop practicalized the process of registering, verifying and issuing identity cards to seafarers and dockworkers via the NIMASA portal (@nimasa.gov.ng). Practical support measures, including training, cybersecurity and planning a phased rollout to ensure smooth adoption, were also discussed.
Speaking at the event, the NIMASA Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Jibril Abba stressed the importance of the digital platform to achieving global competitiveness, stating that “our digital transformation is underway. This year we launched the Maritime Labour E-Platform, building on our 2022 dockworkers registration success.
It is a modern, integrated system for registering and verifying seafarers, dockworkers, employers, and other stakeholders.” Represented by the Director, Maritime Labour Services Department, Mr. Ibrahim Umar Sidi, the Executive Director further noted that “by centralizing registration and issuing secure biometric ID cards, it cuts paperwork, speeds up processing, and gives us reliable real-time data. This helps us meet our obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention and boosts Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global Blue Economy.”
He also emphasized that the actualization of the digital platform was in line with the Agency’s statutory obligations, stating that, “This initiative directly fulfils our mandate under Section 27(1)(a) of the NIMASA Act 2007, which charges us with the duty to document and maintain a register of every maritime worker and operator. It also aligns with our obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, often called the “Seafarers’ Bill of Rights for promoting fair working conditions, health protections, and social security.
In its efforts to build a smarter, more transparent, and efficient maritime sector, the Federal Government launched the Maritime Labour E-Platform, during an event in June marking the 2025 Day of the Seafarer in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The platform, which is a digital solution designed to revolutionize the governance of maritime labour in Nigeria, was described by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola at the time as “a transformative tool for labour administration”.
Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola has noted that effective Port State Control (PSC) is one of the most potent tools of ensuring global safety and maintenance of environmental standards in shipping.
Dr. Mobereola who said this at a 5-day Regional Train the Trainer Workshop on Port State Control (PSC) for Member States of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the support of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), further emphasized that the quality of the professionals who implement PSC determines its overall success. Represented by the Executive Director, Operations, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, the DG described the workshop as a reflection of Africa’s shared commitment to safer, cleaner, and more efficient shipping.
“Your presence here demonstrates our collective resolve to strengthen efficient maritime governance, improve safety standards, and enhance environmental protection across West and Central Africa,” he said. The DG commended the IMO, the Abuja MoU Secretariat, and all technical partners for their continued support towards capacity-building, regional cooperation, and the promotion of maritime safety in Africa.
Delivering a goodwill message, the representative of the IMO, Captain Ahmed Sewelam, reaffirmed the Organization’s unwavering commitment to supporting Member States through its technical cooperation programme to strengthen effective and harmonized Port State Control regimes globally. “Effective regional cooperation and harmonized PSC practices are essential to eliminate substandard shipping and promote consistency across the region,” Captain Sewelam said. He said that the workshop provides a unique platform for delegates to strengthen their collective capacity as Port States, while discussing key elements such as inspection procedures, reporting, and strategies for improved performance noting that “together, we can strengthen Port State Control implementation and advance maritime safety and sustainability in the region”.
On his part, the Secretary General of the Abuja MoU, Captain Sunday Umoren, reiterated that capacity building remains a top priority of the Abuja MoU. He noted that effective Flag State control directly influences the quality of Port State Control operations, emphasizing the importance of strong national systems. “We must continue to build capacity, strengthen cooperation, and share experiences to ensure that our region maintains high standards of maritime safety and compliance,” he said.
The Train-the-Trainer Workshop on Port State Control under the Abuja MoU represents another milestone in NIMASA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen maritime safety, promote environmental protection, and consolidate Nigeria’s leadership role in advancing regional maritime development. The workshop, which is being held in Lagos, has brought together delegates from 22 countries across West and Central Africa to deepen capacity, harmonize standards, and strengthen maritime safety oversight across the region.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) announced on Monday that about 20 ships laden with food items, petroleum products, and other goods are expected to arrive at Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports in Lagos. In its shipping position for Monday, the authority disclosed that the ships will arrive in Lagos from November 10 to 12.
According to the NPA, out of the 20 expected ships, four contain crude oil, four contain petrol, three others are to arrive with aviation fuel, while the remaining nine ships are to arrive with diesel, gas oil, and different products.
The NPA also hinted that three ships had arrived at the ports and were waiting to berth with general cargo and bulk urea. Meanwhile, it says that 11 ships are currently at the ports discharging general cargoes, bulk wheat, bulk sugar, containers, and bulk gas. NAN
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