The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) yesterday described Nigeria’s Blue Economy Policy as a forward-looking and sustainable plan.
It commended the country for its remarkable achievements in the maritime sector in recent times.
IMO Secretary-General, Mr. Arsenio Domínguez, said the maritime plan was a laudable initiative for harnessing marine resources sustainability.
Domínguez, who arrived Nigeria yesterday on a working visit, made the remarks during a courtesy visit to Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
He commended the remarkable achievements in maritime security, particularly the zero piracy incident, for over three years.
He said the groundbreaking Deep Blue Project was a model for regional cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea.
Dominguez said the investment in maritime safety infrastructure and the collaboration of security agencies, especially the Nigerian Navy, had yielded tangible results in combating piracy and maritime crimes.
He added that these efforts demonstrated Nigeria’s leadership and commitment to ensuring safer seas, not just for its own waters, but also for the wider West and Central African regions.
The Secretary-General also acknowledged Nigeria’s recent submission to the organisation outlining its national and regional security initiatives, stressing the need for continued support in infrastructure development and acquisition of modern equipment.
He assured that the IMO would remain committed to providing technical assistance through awareness campaigns, training programmes and capacity-building initiatives.
Dominguez expressed admiration for the facilities at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron, especially the training infrastructure.
He urged greater collaboration among the academy, the Ministry of Education and industry stakeholders to guide young Nigerians in pursuing maritime careers.
Oyetola said the IMO chief’s visit reflected the strength of Nigeria’s relationship with the global maritime body.
He noted that the partnership with the Navy and other stakeholders was pivotal in suppressing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. Oyetola reaffirmed the country’s determination to consolidate recent gains and expand opportunities in the marine and blue economy.
He commended Domínguez for choosing Nigeria for the visit and expressed optimism that the discussions would further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
During the visit, presentations were made by top government officials and key stakeholders in the sector.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, highlighted ongoing reforms and initiatives in security, seafarer welfare and regulatory frameworks aimed at positioning Nigeria as a leading maritime nation.
The Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Dr. Kevin Okonna, showcased the academy’s modern training facilities and underscored the importance of international partnerships in cadet exchange and simulator-based training.
The Managing Director of the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Mr. Wang Qiang, outlined the port’s role in boosting Nigeria’s cargo handling capacity, creating jobs and attracting long-term foreign investments.
Domínguez also interacted with cadets of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, urging them to embrace emerging opportunities in the maritime sector, particularly in renewable energy, green shipping and maritime technology.
He reaffirmed IMO’s commitment to working closely with Nigeria to strengthen maritime safety, enhance governance structures, and drive the sustainable growth of the blue economy,
The Secretary- General said the country’s achievements served as a model of excellence for Africa and beyond.
In highlighting the organisation’s ongoing projects, Domínguez referenced a regional conference scheduled for Ghana in January next year on the Safe Seas Project, designed to consolidate contributions from Nigeria and other partner states.
He also announced ongoing discussions with the European Union aimed at launching a new maritime governance project focused on ports and security, as well as two regional projects in Southern and Western Africa where progress would be tracked through defined indicators.
Apart from security, Domínguez emphasised the need for countries to prepare for wider global challenges including the energy transition, the adoption of biofuels, and financing mechanisms, to support the training of seafarers, infrastructure development and the adoption of future fuels.
