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From LAMATA to NIMASA: The Task Before Dayo Mobereola. 

Dayo Mobereola, taking over the mantle of office at NIMASA

The Eyewitness Reporter

Last week Friday, March 22nd, 2024, the new Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dayo Mobereola quietly walked into the Kanti Towers( now NIMASA Towers), the new ultra-modern headquarters of the agency, to assume duties.

He was pronounced the new helmsman of the rich government parastatal on March 11th, 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to replace Dr Bashir Jamoh, whose four-year eventful tenure lapsed on March 10th, 2024.

As expected, the former Lagos Metropolitan  Area Transport Authority(LAMATA )boss was elated by his new office and status.

He said this much when he expressed his enthusiasm to become the new NIMASA DG.

” It is with great enthusiasm and a sense of purpose that I step into this position” he had said with a glowing mien when he took over the baton of leadership from Mr Chudi Offodile, the Agency’s Executive Director, Finance and Administration, who had been acting since the exit of Jamoh.

It is expected that Dr Mobereola should be elated given the fact that he now sits atop an international-inclined, money-spinning government agency which is by far bigger in status, stature and scope than LAMATA.

However, we want to advise Mobereola not to be carried away by the euphoria of his new office and position as he is faced with the daunting task of driving the most critical, dynamic and highly technical agency which is by far more tasking, engaging and challenging than LAMATA.

He should also know that he is in an industry that is international in operation and whose operators are cynical but discerning and sophisticated in thoughts and actions, who are unsparing in their criticism, who are impatient with laggards and who are quite friendly and supportive of intelligent, proactive and impactful Chief Executive officers of the frontline regulatory agency in the industry.

The industry whose stakeholders are intoxicated by successes but incensed by failures.

So Mobereola should know what he is up against as he is stepping into the big shoes vacated by his predecessor, Dr Bashir Jamoh, whose modest achievements have now set parameters by which his performance shall be assessed.

Such parameters include but are not limited to shipping development, CVFF disbursement, full deployment of the agency’s floating dock, change in Nigeria’s fortune at the IMO elections where the country has become a serial loser, the proactive approach to the controversial National Seafarers Development Programme(NSDP).

Cabotage Vessels Financing Funds(CVFF)

Mobereola is coming into the office to meet one of the most controversial, highly politicized and brazenly abused interventionist Programmes of the agency, the Cabotage Vessels Financing Funds (CVFF).

Initiated in 2003 through the Cabotage Act, it is meant to empower indigenous ship owners to enable them to compete effectively in the Cabotage trade.

The fund is the accruals from the two per cent deductions made from Cabotage contracts of indigenous ship owners.
The special purpose loan facility is meant to be disbursed to qualified beneficiaries who meet the stringent guidelines.
Instructively, the funds have not been disbursed 20 years after it started. and it is said to have accrued the sum of $700milion as at 2023.
It has suffered several abuse and postponements of disbursement dates and become an object of official deceit and controversy so much so that the indigenous ship owners for whom it is meant have lost hope and confidence in government sincerity.

Under Jamoh, who appeared genuinely sincere and committed, the funds came close to disbursement as it got two presidential approvals under President Mohammudu Buhari, first to Rotimi Ameachi and then in December 2022, to Muazu Sambo, both former Ministers of Transportation.

Sambo even had to stake his integrity on the disbursement of the controversial funds when in December 2022, he bragged “Hold me responsible if this funds is not disbursed. I am staking my integrity on the approval granted by Mr President”
We need not say that the funds were still not disbursed before he exited.
We went into the intrigues and opaque manner in which the vexed issue of CVFF disbursement had been handled for 20 years so Mobereola would know the task at hand.

If he could eventually break the 20-year-old jinx of CVFF disbursement before he leaves office, he would become an instant celebrity among the highly sceptical stakeholders who have already written him off as a misfit before he even assumed duties.

Nigeria’s Serial loses at IMO Category C elections 

Another parameter that will be used to measure the performance of the new NIMASA DG is how he would turn the fortunes of Nigeria around at the International Maritime Organisation(IMO) elections.

Since 2007, when Nigeria last won the election into the Category ‘C’ council of the IMO under the former NIMASA DG, Dr Ade Dosunmu, it has been A string of consistent loses after then.

Since 2009 till date, Nigeria’s bids to win the coveted position at the IMO have been met with crushing defeats and near-misses.
The country became defeat-weary so much that it chickened out of the 2023 biannual elections when it failed to participate in the election held in the London headquarters of the IMO in December 2023.

Gboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, who led other government officials on a jamboree visit to London in 2023  to observe the election which Nigeria ought to have participated, said Nigeria will not participate in that year’s election to give ample room for preparations for the 2025 edition.

Mobereola, with the active support and guidance of the minister, should leverage the giant stride made by his immediate predecessor towards this direction.

Jamoh has built international goodwill and made the government invest in robust maritime infrastructure which engender maritime security and safety.

It behoves the new helmsman at the agency to harness all these and deliver to Nigeria a place in the prestigious category C at the IMO Council.

If he does that in the next council elections in 2025, then some of his critics, especially in the maritime media, would be falling over themselves to confer on him the Maritime Man of the Year Award reserved for the performing CEOs in the industry.

Full deployment of the agency’s floating dock.

Again, his immediate predecessor, Bashir Jamoh, had prepared a ground for the eventual deployment of this national asset.
NIMASA acquired the giant floating dock in 2018 at the staggering sum of N50 billion in what appeared that the agency put the chart before the horse as it searched for a suitable operational base for six years while the facility was idling away and gulping national resources.
However, Jamoh made what appeared to be concrete steps towards the eventual deployment of the giant floating dock before he bowed out of office.
He convinced the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to lease its facilities at the Continental shipyard for the anchorage of the floating dock.
He also engaged the services of Melsmore Marina Nigeria Limited as a technical partner to drive the deployment of the dock.
Shortly before Jamoh exited, the floating dock had been dragged to a jetty at the Standard Flour Mills, Apapa in preparation for its final movement to its scheduled operational base at the Continental Shipyard.
So, Mobereola has had its work cut out for him by his immediate predecessor.
All he needs to do is finalize the arrangement that would enable the floating dock to commence operations that will conserve the scarce foreign exchange that Nigeria’s local ship owners use to dry dock their vessels outside the shores of the country.

Sustaining the momentum in the fight against piracy.

One of the legacies left behind by Bashir Jamoh is the highly emasculated pirate attacks on Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea.

Nigeria led the international onslaught on piracy in the Gulf of Guinea which recorded a considerable decline in the operations of pirates in the last few years.
Through the deployment of its sophisticated infrastructures under the Deep Blue project, Nigeria has fought piracy to a standstill.

This laudable effort was further boosted by the promulgation of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act, 2019 (SPOMO) Act which helped in speedy and effective prosecution of pirates in the country.

With these far-reaching measures and efforts, all that Mobereola needs to do is to sustain the fight against piracy.
He can’t afford to ease his foot on the pedal as a spike in the unholy activities of pirates will deal irreversible damage to his tenure.

Revival of dying indigenous shipping operations. 

One of the cardinal objectives of NIMASA is shipping development.

However, this is a dark spot on what could have been a glittering tenure of his immediate predecessor,  Bashir Jamoh.
Under Jamoh, shipping development didn’t enjoy as much attention as other areas of the agency’s mandates as businesses most of the indigenous ship owners went under.

Probably due to the non-rebursement of the controversial CVFF which should have empowered the indigenous ship owners, the operations of these operators nose-dived as substantial numbers of them went out of business.

To worm himself into the hearts of the distressed and depressed indigenous ship owners, Mobereola should court them, consult them and engage with them in decisions that would be taken by the agency concerning the promotion of their businesses.

The National Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP)
The National Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) was initiated by NIMASA in 2008 under the former DG, Dr Ade Dosunmu. It was designed to train Nigerian youths up to a degree level in Marine Engineering, Nautical Services and Naval Architecture in some of the best maritime training institutions abroad.
Since its inception, the programme is reputed to have produced about 2,000 beneficiaries.
However, the sore point in the programme is that most of the cadets who passed through the programme lack the requisite sea-time training as that important component was not initially embedded in the terms of engagement between NIMASA and the foreign training institutions.
Also, it has been alleged that the programme has largely been an instrument of nepotism as beneficiaries are friends, relatives and cronies of highly placed Nigerians in government, including successive Minister of Transportation (Marine and Blue Economy ministry).
As a result, some stakeholders have called for its scrapping.
Mobereola should look into these allegations and provide workable solutions that would address the lack of seatime training for the cadets and the issue of nepotism should be looked into.
The duties of the new NIMASA DG have clearly been cut out for him and adequate ground was prepared for him by his immediate predecessor.

It is now incumbent on Mobereola to latch on these opportunities to drive the maritime industry higher than he met it.

Failure to do this and make an impact within the next six months of his tenure, he would have the harsh, hard and highly sceptical stakeholders to contend with.
His short speech at the handing-over ceremony last week Friday, March 22nd, 2024 was not inspiring as it gives him away as someone who hasn’t gotten a grasp of the task ahead

“I do not doubt that every individual within our organization has the potential to achieve greatness.

” We will, therefore, ensure that we build a purpose-driven organisation by investing in our staff, processes, and the entire system to achieve our mandate.

” I aim to foster an environment of innovation, collaboration and synergy, creating an atmosphere that encourages the development of our employees’ skills, talents, and creativity” he has said.

To stakeholders, the statement is nebulous as it was not specific on key areas of interest to industry operators.

So, the sooner Mobereola knows that the maritime industry and administration is more technical, engaging, and in-depth in the conception and execution of ideas and policies than land transportation, the better.

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Headlines

As NRC recovers ₦200m stolen railway assets, Opeifa vows diligent prosecution of suspects

— assures sustained collaboration with security agencies 

 Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has reaffirmed the Corporation’s commitment to protecting railway infrastructure through sustained collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, following the recovery of stolen railway materials valued at about ₦200 million.

Dr. Opeifa gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola, at the Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.

The NRC boss, who was accompanied by the Commissioner of Police, Nigeria Railway Police Command, CP Lasisi Titilola, stressed that the Corporation would ensure the diligent prosecution of all suspects arrested for vandalising railway facilities to serve as a strong deterrent against future acts of sabotage.

He praised the Oyo State Police Command and the Nigeria Railway Police Command for their professionalism and swift response, which led to the arrest of three suspected railway vandals and the recovery of railway materials worth approximately ₦200 million.

According to him, the suspects were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation while allegedly transporting vandalised railway materials from Niger State to Lagos.

Describing the operation as a significant breakthrough in the fight against railway vandalism, Dr. Opeifa said it underscored the effectiveness of the growing partnership between the NRC and security agencies in safeguarding critical national infrastructure.

He reiterated the Corporation’s resolve to deepen collaboration with the Police, other security agencies, state governments, host communities and relevant stakeholders to curb vandalism, theft and other criminal activities capable of disrupting railway operations across the country.

The NRC Managing Director also appealed to members of the public to support the campaign against railway vandalism by providing credible and timely information to security agencies.

“The Nigerian Railway Corporation remains committed to delivering safe, reliable and sustainable rail transportation while working closely with security agencies and other stakeholders to protect the nation’s railway infrastructure,” Dr. Opeifa said.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola, called on the National Assembly to strengthen existing laws protecting critical national infrastructure by prescribing stiffer penalties for vandals.
He warned criminals to steer clear of Oyo State, assuring that the Command would continue to track, arrest and prosecute anyone involved in the destruction or theft of public assets.
CP Abimbola disclosed that the three suspects, along with the recovered railway materials, would be handed over to the Nigeria Railway Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.

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Headlines

NSC marks 31 years of maritime judicial capacity building with 18th international seminar for Judges

Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, will commemorate 31 years of judicial capacity development in Nigeria’s maritime sector as it hosts the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges from July 22 to 24, 2026, in Abuja.

The biennial seminar, organised in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI), will take place at the Ballroom of the Ladi Kwali Conference Centre, Abuja Continental Hotel, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily.

Established in 1995, the International Maritime Seminar for Judges has become Nigeria’s foremost judicial capacity-building programme in maritime law and admiralty practice, providing a platform for strengthening the administration of maritime justice and aligning the country’s legal framework with evolving global standards.

This year’s edition is expected to bring together senior judicial officers, maritime law experts, policymakers, regulators and industry stakeholders from Nigeria and across Africa to deliberate on contemporary legal issues affecting the maritime industry.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, will chair the event, while the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, will serve as the Chief Host.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is the Host of the seminar.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, will attend as the Distinguished Guest of Honour, while the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, will participate as the Special Guest of Honour.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), will grace the occasion as the Guest of Honour.

The seminar is designed to enhance the capacity of judges and legal practitioners in maritime adjudication, promote consistency in judicial decisions and strengthen the legal environment required to facilitate international trade, attract investment and support the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.

Participants will examine a wide range of emerging issues in maritime law through presentations by distinguished jurists, renowned maritime lawyers, academics and international experts.

Key discussion areas include the implementation of the Admiralty Jurisdiction (Procedure) Rules, 2023, ship mortgages and judicial sale of ships, maritime cargo claims under the port concession regime, arbitration and hybrid dispute resolution mechanisms, as well as the legal implications of demurrage, detention and storage charges in international shipping.

The seminar will also explore how Nigeria’s maritime dispute resolution system can be better aligned with international best practices to improve investor confidence and enhance the competitiveness of the country’s maritime sector.

In a demonstration of its growing continental relevance, the event is expected to attract Chief Justices from The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia and Sierra Leone, alongside judges from their respective judiciaries.

Also expected are Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, Judges of the Federal and State High Courts, legal advisers, in-house counsel, maritime practitioners, academics, regulators and other stakeholders from across the maritime industry.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council said the seminar underscores its enduring commitment to strengthening maritime justice through continuous judicial engagement, knowledge sharing and the development of a robust legal framework capable of supporting efficient dispute resolution, facilitating trade and advancing Nigeria’s marine and blue economy agenda.

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Customs

Customs puts smiles on faces of 4,237 retirees as Adeniyi releases N7.61bn to 9 PFAs for payment

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has disbursed N7.61 billion to nine Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) for the payment of retirement benefits to 4,237 retired Customs officers, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of its former personnel.

Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a dialogue with retired officers held on Tuesday, July 14th, 2026, where he announced that the funds had already been released to the PFAs for immediate credit to the retirees’ individual Retirement Savings Accounts.

According to the beneficiary breakdown, Premium Pension has the highest number of beneficiaries with 2,268 retirees, followed by Access-ARM Pension Managers with 1,223.

Leadway Pensions will pay 403 retirees, TrustFund Pensions 156, FCMB Pensions 144, Veritas Glanvills Pensions 28, Norrenberger Pensions 11, while Fidelity Pension Managers will pay four retirees, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 4,237.

Addressing the retirees, Adeniyi stressed that the Customs Service remains committed to ensuring the welfare of both serving and retired officers, noting that the institution’s future is closely tied to how it treats those who devoted their careers to its service.

He said the Service must remain financially strong and capable of meeting its obligations, emphasizing that retirees deserve dignity and timely access to their benefits.

The CGC also called for sustained engagement between the Service and its retirees, explaining that the dialogue was convened to address concerns, foster mutual understanding, and dispel misinformation.

“I acknowledge your concerns and suggestions, and it is in view of this that we convened this dialogue to promote better understanding and reduce the effect of rumours and unofficial information on the relationship between the Service and its retired personnel,” Adeniyi said.

Also present at the meeting were the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resources Development, DCG Tijjani Abe, and other members of the Customs Management Team, who assured the retirees that the issues raised would receive due consideration at both the Board and Management levels.

The retired officers commended the Comptroller-General and the Management for creating a platform for direct interaction, describing the engagement as timely and beneficial.

They appealed for the dialogue to become a regular feature to strengthen the bond between the Service and its retired workforce.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of ongoing Federal Government efforts to improve pension administration, following plans to review relevant statutory provisions, including Section 15(4) of the Pension Reform Act 2014, in line with Section 173(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), with the aim of enhancing the welfare of pensioners across the public service.

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