Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has extended warm yuletide greetings to maritime industry stakeholders while reaffirming the agency’s commitment to accelerating sectoral growth in 2026.
In his festive message, Dr. Mobereola described 2025 as a remarkably progressive year for the maritime industry, citing sustained maritime security, regulatory milestones and Nigeria’s successful election into the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Category C Council as major achievements.
According to him, the industry recorded “zero piracy attacks in Nigerian waters for a whole calendar year,” a feat he attributed to strengthened collaboration, improved surveillance and stakeholders’ cooperation. He also applauded the Federal Government for depositing three Instruments of Accession to key IMO Conventions earlier signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“The year 2025 has been a good one for our industry. We have not recorded a single piracy attack in our waters in a whole calendar year. Nigeria was also able to deposit three Instruments of Accession to IMO Conventions that were signed by President Bola Tinubu GCFR.
We have been able to maintain industrial harmony in the sector, all of which culminated in Nigeria’s election into the Category C Council of the International Maritime Organization,” he stated.
Dr. Mobereola expressed gratitude to maritime operators and partners for their contribution to the year’s successes. “We couldn’t have done this without our stakeholders who have contributed in various ways in the course of their operations during the year. We see you, we thank you, and we felicitate with you during this yuletide season,” he added.
Looking ahead, the NIMASA boss urged industry stakeholders to approach 2026 with renewed optimism, stressing that Nigeria’s seat on the IMO Council comes with greater responsibility.
“At NIMASA, we appreciate the weight of our renewed responsibility by virtue of Nigeria’s membership of the IMO Council, because to whom much is given, much is expected. You can therefore be sure of an increased momentum in our resolve to sustain maritime safety, security, environmental protection and adherence to relevant conventions and protocols with renewed vigour,” he said.
Dr. Mobereola concluded by acknowledging the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR; the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON; industry stakeholders; NIMASA staff; and all Nigerians. He wished the nation a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.