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Much Ado about Dayo Mobereola appointment as NIMASA DG

Dr Dayo Mobereola

The Eyewitness Reporter

Since the appointment of Dr Dayo Mobereola as the new Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the maritime industry has gone abuzz with divergent views, opinions and speculations.

Specifically, opinions have been divided among two opposing sides.

While one side, who was probably caught unaware of the sudden turn of events that has disrupted its calculations, projections and expectations, has started to attack the new appointee even before he resumed duties, the other side, who believes the new NIMASA DG should be given a chance like his predecessors, has stoutly stood and rationalised the appointment.

While one side was embittered that the appointment of Dr Mobereola has upturned their apple chart, the other side, believed NIMASA needs a fresh breath of air in the regulatory agency.

However, in order to rationalise their bias and beliefs which are deeply rooted in a preconceived notion of who is more qualified for the coveted office, the antagonists of the new NIMASA appointee have started to grow goose pimples over what they erroneously believed was his delayed resumption of duties as the new NIMASA DG.

In hush tones, they have given out an uninformed narrative that Dr Mobereola has failed to resume office as the NIMASA DG one week after his appointment.
The peddlers of this outlandish narrative have further justified their bias against the appointment of the former LAMATA boss.

However, such people have failed to take into cognisance the procedures of appointments and resumption of civil servants in public service.

They were oblivious of the extant rules that in the public service, appointments of public officers go through layers of confirmation and ratification before the appointees can resume office.

In the case of ministers, when the President makes his appointments, he sends the nominees to the Senate for approval.
During this period, Minister – Designates go through a senate screening exercise where their nominations are either confirmed or rejected.

This process takes a little while.As for the heads of agencies like NIMASA, the presidential appointment has to go through the office of the Secretary to the Government of Federation(SGF) where a letter will be issued to the office of the Head of Service where another letter of notification has to be issued to the relevant ministry where the final appointment letter will be issued to the appointed head of the agency.

“This is the procedure the new NIMASA DG is currently going through at the moment.

“His appointment has to go through the office of the SGF where a letter will be sent to the Head of Service who will notify the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy where the minister will issue a final letter of appointment to Dr Mobereola before he can officially resume office.

“At present, he is in Abuja where he was going through the last lap of the official procedure and he is looking likely to resume duties at NIMASA tomorrow( Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 or before the week runs out,” a knowledgeable source at NIMASA told our reporter.

“Dr Mobereola was in Lagos last weekend where he interacted with other members of the management staff.

“He is ready and eager to resume duties as soon as he completes the necessary procedural steps” the NIMASA source declared.

” Another highly placed source close to the minister of Marine and Blue economy, Gboyega Oyetola, also confirmed the procedure which the appointment of the new NIMASA DG would take before he officially resumes.

“I can tell you categorically that there is no cause for alarm. The new man is eminently qualified to assume that position given his professional qualifications and track record in public service.

“The stakeholders should give him a chance, allow him to settle down and concentrate on the task ahead” the ministerial source pleaded.

The sources reminded the skeptics that the new helmsmen at the National Inland Waterways Authority(NIWA) and Nigerian Shippers’Council, all went through the same process before they resumed duties about two weeks after their appointments.

“These two didn’t resume immediately after their appointments.

“Their appointments went through the same procedure that Dr Mobereola is currently going through.

“Why the resumption of Dr. Bashir Jamoh and that of Mohammed Bello-Koko when both took over at NIMASA and NPA respectively was because both men were insiders as they were both, incidentally, Executive Directors, Finance and Administrations at their respective agencies when they took over,” another source said.

Dr Mobereola’s appointment as NIMASA DG was announced on Tuesday, March 12th, 2024.

He took over from Dr Bashir Jamoh whose tenure expired last week Sunday, March 10th, 2024 and handed over to Chudi Offordile, the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the agency

Moberola obtained an MSc and a Ph.D. in Transport Economics from the University of Wales, United Kingdom, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport, both in England and Nigeria.
His studies exposed him to Social Development and Welfare, Maritime Safety and Security Management, and Maritime Piracy and Transnational Criminal Activities.
Stakeholders believed he is eminently qualified to head the maritime regulatory agency as a thoroughbred professional.
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At World Environment Day celebration, NIWA renews commitment to clean, secure waterways 

Umar Yusuf Girei, NIWA Ag. MD
Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter
The Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Umar Yusuf Girei, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to maintaining clean, safe and sustainable inland waterways as Nigeria joins the global community to mark the 2026 World Environment Day.
The celebration, themed “Urbanisation and Climate Change: Building Resilient Cities for a Sustainable Future,” draws attention to the environmental challenges accompanying rapid urban growth and climate change impacts.
In a statement delivered at NIWA Headquarters in Lokoja, Girei extended greetings to cities across the country, noting that urban areas are increasingly expanding around waterways which continue to serve as vital centres of commerce, culture and economic activity.
He, however, warned that urbanisation places significant strain on the environment, leading to challenges such as rising temperatures, flooding and erosion, all of which require urgent and coordinated response measures.
According to him, NIWA views inland waterways as natural infrastructure for building urban resilience, explaining that properly managed rivers and channels help mitigate flooding by serving as drainage pathways, while also offering a cleaner, low-carbon option for transporting goods and passengers.
Girei reiterated the Authority’s commitment to responsible dredging, protection of riverbanks, and sustained efforts to keep waterways free from pollution and indiscriminate waste disposal.
He also stressed that government cannot shoulder the responsibility alone, urging Nigerians to contribute by disposing of waste properly, planting trees along riverbanks, reporting illegal dredging and encroachment activities, and supporting environmental protection initiatives.
He further encouraged greater adoption of water transportation as a safer and more sustainable alternative to road transport across the country.
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Tope Fajemirokun, WABOTAN President, decries high cost of water transportation in Nigeria 

Funso OLOJO, Editor 

 

The President of the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN), Mr. Tope Fajemirokun, has lamented the prohibitive cost of water transportation in Nigeria which he said has continued to discourage Nigerians from using this viable mode of transportation.

Fajemirokun make this observation during a live Radio broadcast in Lagos.
The WABOTAN President further disclosed that commuters pay more using water transportation than when using road transportation, a development which he feared was inimical to the growth of water transportation that he believed was a viable alternative to road transportation.
According to him, a commuter pays as high as N10,000 commuting on waters from Badagry to CMS, Lagos on two- way journey.
“The cost of water transportation remains high. For example, a commuter travelling from Badagry to CMS may spend about ₦5,000 each way, amounting to ₦10,000 daily on transportation alone.
” This is one of the major factors discouraging passengers from using the waterways. That is why we are appealing to government at all levels to invest more in the sector,” he added.
To bring the cost of water transportation down, Fajemirokun called on government to invest more on water transportation and also give assistance to private operators in the business.
He lamented that rising fuel prices have significantly affected the operations of boat owners and transporters, noting that the increase in fuel costs, coupled with prevailing economic challenges, has made it difficult for operators to acquire new boats and expand their businesses.
 “When you are in business, you must continue to improve and invest in it despite the challenges,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to NIWA and LASWA for their commitment to maintaining safety standards on Nigeria’s waterways.
Fajemirokun further outlined several initiatives undertaken by WABOTAN to educate its members on safety practices ahead of the rainy season.
 “Since the beginning of the year, we have been educating our members on safety measures.
“We have conducted two safety induction programmes this year and are currently planning another one before August.

“With the support of my friend and brother, Frank Meke, the programme will bring together stakeholders, the media, and regulatory agencies to further strengthen safety awareness,” he stated.

The WABOTAN President noted that the association has implemented several safety measures in preparation for the rainy season and acknowledged the efforts of regulatory authorities in sensitizing operators and passengers.

 “A few months ago, LASWA invested significantly in clearing water hyacinth from Lagos waterways. Water hyacinth is a fast-growing aquatic plant that obstructs navigation and poses safety risks on waterways,” he explained.

Fajemirokun said WABOTAN has enjoyed strong cooperation from both LASWA and NIWA in promoting safety and regulatory compliance across the sector.

 “We have received tremendous support from LASWA and NIWA, and we are working closely with them.
“However, we remain particularly concerned about Rivers and Bayelsa States, where incidents on the waterways tend to increase during the rainy season due to their proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.

“With NIWA’s support, we are intensifying sensitization efforts in those states and across other parts of the country,” he said.

He added that several states are establishing their own waterway authorities and commended NIWA for providing guidance and support in that regard.

Speaking on the need to phase out unsafe banana and wooden boats, Fajemirokun called for greater government intervention and financial support for operators seeking to invest in safer and more modern vessels.

“The government needs to come to our aid, just as the Lagos State Government has been doing.

“Eliminating banana and wooden boats will be easier if government provides the necessary support and investment.

” State governments should also invest more in water transportation to ensure that Nigerians can fully benefit from the opportunities offered by the waterways,” he said.

He further urged government authorities to take a more active role in developing the water transportation sector, noting that the high cost of water travel discourages many commuters.

Also speaking on the programme, veteran maritime journalist Frank Meke acknowledged government efforts but stressed that more needs to be done to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s water transportation system.”Our roads are heavily congested. As we speak, Apapa remains gridlocked. Imagine the impact if government invested more in water transportation.

” Sometimes, there appears to be more lip service than concrete action. The blue economy holds enormous potential.
” Look at the investments and sacrifices being made by associations like WABOTAN to strengthen the sector.

” Government agencies should demonstrate a similar level of commitment,” Meke said.

He also expressed concern about states such as Kwara, Niger, Benue, and Taraba, where waterways could serve as a more affordable and efficient means of transporting agricultural produce.

According to him, many farmers in these states need reliable and cost-effective transportation options to move their goods to market, making water transportation a viable alternative.

Meke called on the government to declare a state of emergency in the water transportation sector, emphasizing the need for alternative modes of transportation beyond road networks.

“Nigerians need efficient alternatives to road transport, and WABOTAN has played a significant role in advancing the sector.

“Government should provide soft loans to boat operators to enable them to acquire modern vessels.
“Investment should not be limited to boats alone; there is also a need for continuous training of boat captains, crew members, and even passengers.

” As the rainy season approaches, we must prepare adequately for emergencies,” he stated.

Fajemirokun concluded by urging all boat operators to prioritize safety at all times and ensure that passengers wear life jackets before embarking on any journey.

 “Safety must always come first. Boat operators and passengers should never neglect the use of life jackets, regardless of the distance of the journey,” he advised.
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Nigeria gains prominence in standard maritime training capacity as NSML secures prestigious UK certification 

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSMS) has placed Nigeria on a global map as a country with world class maritime training capacity with the certification of its Maritime Centre of Excellence (MCOE) by the UK Nautical institute.
It could be recalled that NSMS, the capacity – building arm of the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas(NLNG) Limited, runs a word class maritime training institute called Maritime Centre of Excellence(MCOE) based at Bonny Island, Rivers State.
The institute, which has, over the years, deepened the Nigeria’s capacity in maritime industry through standardized training of professionals in the industry, recently secured a prestigious certification of its training programmes by the United Kingdom Nautical Institute.
Sharing the cheering news with newsmen on Thursday, June 4th, 2026 in Lagos, the Managing Director and Chief Executive officer of the NSML, Abdulkadir Ahmed, enthused that the certification from the UK Nautical Institute is a strong validation of the quality, rigour, and relevance of the training delivered at the Centre.
Ahmed further disclosed that the certification was a great milestone for the institute in particular and Nigeria’s maritime industry in general which, according to him, confirms that the MCOE meets internationally accepted standards for competence development and operational excellence.
He further stated that the UK certification was not the first global milestone attained by the institute as it has earlier secured the accreditation  by DNV under globally recognised standards, including ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management Systems and the DNV-ST-0029 standards for Maritime Simulator and Training Centres.
“These certifications reinforce our commitment to quality, consistency, and excellence in training delivery” the NSML MD enthused.
Ahmed listed the significance of the certification of the MCOE by the UK Nautical institute

“It strengthens our global standing, certification by globally respected bodies affirms that the standard of training and expertise developed here in Nigeria can compete with the best anywhere in the world.

“It enhances the employability and mobility of Nigerian maritime professionals with internationally recognised training; our seafarers are better positioned to access opportunities across global fleets and offshore operations.

“It reinforces our commitment to building capacity locally, this milestone demonstrates clearly that world-class maritime training can be delivered here at home, reducing reliance on foreign institutions while raising national capability.

“It also reinforces safety and professionalism within the sector.

“The certifications obtained by the MCOE affirm that the professionals trained here meet high international expectations in performance, safety, and operational readiness.

“Beyond the industry, the impact is broader. A stronger maritime workforce contributes directly to trade, shipping, offshore operations, and the growth of Nigeria’s blue economy supporting job creation, productivity, and national competitiveness” the NSML MD declared.

He disclosed that the UK Nautical institute certification has now given the MCOE the license to deliver key Dynamic Positioning (DP) programmes which include  induction, simulator, revalidation, and vessel maintenance courses.
The Maritime Centre of Excellence is the  NSML’s hub for maritime training, research, and competence.
It was established as a one-stop centre for world-class maritime expertise which serves  Nigeria, West Africa, and the global maritime community.

The Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art simulators and modern training facilities designed to support the continuous professional development of seafarers and maritime professionals, with an expanding portfolio of both mandatory and specialised courses.

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