Funso OLOJO, Editor 

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) have agreed to deepen institutional collaboration to enhance maritime safety, security and marine casualty investigations in Nigeria.

The commitment was made when the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, received the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the NSIB, Captain Alex Sabundu Badeh Jnr., during a courtesy visit to the agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Mobereola said NIMASA recognises the strategic role of the NSIB in promoting transportation safety and stressed that stronger collaboration between both agencies is essential to improving safety within Nigeria’s maritime domain.

He said effective maritime safety requires commitment, practical cooperation and institutional frameworks capable of delivering sustainable results.

“Our shared responsibility is to build a maritime sector that operates on global best practices while protecting lives, vessels and the marine environment. Ultimately, our collective goal is to contribute to making Nigeria greater through stronger institutions and effective inter-agency cooperation,” Mobereola stated.

The NIMASA boss added that the agency is committed to working closely with the NSIB to build a partnership that would strengthen Nigeria’s maritime safety architecture and deliver lasting value to the industry.

He noted that the initiative aligns with the vision of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, whose emphasis on inter-agency collaboration continues to support the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

Earlier, Captain Badeh described collaboration between the two agencies as vital to improving transportation safety and preventing future marine casualties.

According to him, although both organisations have distinct statutory mandates, they share the common objective of protecting lives, property and the marine environment through effective safety systems.

“Our mandates are different, but our destination is the same—a safer and more resilient maritime sector for Nigeria. Safety is most effective when institutions work together, sharing information, expertise and best practices.

“A stronger partnership between the NSIB and NIMASA will enhance marine casualty investigations, strengthen preventive measures and ensure that lessons learned translate into safer operations across the maritime industry,” he said.

Captain Badeh identified key areas of cooperation to include marine casualty notification, emergency response coordination, preservation of evidence, information sharing, technical support, capacity building and the implementation of safety recommendations.
He added that formalising the partnership would further strengthen Nigeria’s compliance with international maritime safety standards.
As part of the agreement, both agencies resolved to immediately establish technical committees to develop the framework for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and draft the Terms of Reference that will guide cooperation in information sharing, marine casualty investigations, capacity development and implementation of safety recommendations.
The collaboration is expected to provide a structured framework for institutional cooperation, reinforce Nigeria’s compliance with international maritime obligations and further strengthen the country’s maritime safety regime.
NIMASA said the partnership reflects its commitment to leveraging strategic collaborations with national and international stakeholders to improve maritime safety and security, enhance regulatory efficiency and support the Federal Government’s vision of building a globally competitive and sustainable blue economy.

–as Ghana’s deputy tourism Minister advocates stronger Nigeria-Ghana tourism partnership

Funso OLOJO, Editor

Safari Valley Eco Resort in Dawu, Ghana’s Eastern Region, is intensifying efforts to attract more Nigerian tourists following the conclusion of a five-day familiarisation tour and executive retreat by the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA).

The visit culminated in an executive dinner held on Tuesday, July 21st, at Safari Valley Eco Resort, where tourism stakeholders from Nigeria and Ghana reaffirmed their commitment to promoting intra-African travel and deepening cross-border tourism partnerships.

A major highlight of the retreat was NANTA’s engagement with key players in Ghana’s tourism industry, giving the Nigerian delegation first-hand experience of the country’s tourism offerings while exploring opportunities to develop attractive travel packages for Nigerian travellers.

Ghana Seeks Stronger Tourism Collaboration

Addressing participants, Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Tourism called for closer collaboration between Nigeria and Ghana, urging both countries to leverage their shared history, cultural affinity and longstanding relationship to stimulate tourism growth.

The minister noted that Nigeria remains one of Ghana’s most strategic tourism source markets, a position consistently reinforced by the Ghana Tourism Authority through initiatives aimed at attracting more Nigerian visitors.

Participants also echoed calls for African countries to reduce travel barriers and ease cross-border movement to unlock the continent’s enormous tourism and economic potential.

Safari World Showcases West African Tourism Vision

Hosting the Nigerian delegation was Safari World, the parent company of Safari Valley Eco Resort, founded by renowned forest scientist and conservationist Samuel Afari.

Speaking during the engagement, Afari described the visit as a significant milestone in advancing the vision of an integrated West African tourism market.

“We at Safari World are very excited to welcome our Nigerian colleagues from NANTA.

“Throughout our discussions with the association, particularly with its President, Dr. Yinka Folami, it has been encouraging to see that ‘Africa for Africa’ remains a shared agenda for both parties,” he said.

He added that the visit provides an opportunity to transform that shared vision into practical partnerships while strengthening the enduring brotherly relationship between Nigeria and Ghana.

“We look forward to welcoming more Nigerian visitors and showcasing authentic Ghanaian hospitality and leisure—the Safari World way,” Afari said.

Speaking passionately about his investment, Afari highlighted the role Nigerians have played in transforming business opportunities across Africa.

He described Safari Valley as the fulfilment of a vision centred on conservation, eco-tourism and nature-based experiences, adding that the resort also seeks to unlock the immense potential of maritime and leisure tourism in the sub-region.

Building a Multi-Destination Tourism Brand

Safari World is steadily positioning itself as one of Ghana’s most diversified tourism brands through its integrated city, riverfront and forest destinations.

Its tourism portfolio spans Accra, Ada and Dawu, offering visitors a blend of eco-tourism, hospitality, leisure and cultural experiences tailored to both domestic and international markets, with Nigeria identified as a priority market.

NANTA President, Dr. Yinka Folami, who led the Nigerian delegation, said the association would encourage host destinations to stage its conferences for at least two consecutive years to deepen partnerships and maximise tourism and business opportunities.
Expanding Opportunities for Nigerian Travellers.

The collaboration is expected to open up new travel packages for Nigerian tourists, particularly in eco-tourism, coastal tourism and community-based experiences.

Driven largely by private sector partnerships and supported by government efforts to strengthen regional tourism, the initiative is expected to enhance travel exchanges between the two countries.

Safari Valley’s renewed focus on the Nigerian market comes at a time when tourism stakeholders across West Africa are advocating easier visa processes, stronger regional cooperation and policies that will accelerate the growth of Africa’s tourism economy.

Gloria Odion, maritime reporter 

Stakeholders in the maritime and logistics industries will converge in Lagos on Saturday, July 25th, 2026, for the TransQuest Anniversary Transport Development Symposium and Awards, where they will deliberate on practical strategies for accelerating sustainable growth in Nigeria’s blue economy.

The symposium, themed “Re-Appraising Nigeria’s Blue Economy: Charting a Path to Sustainable Growth,” will take place at Shoregate Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, under the chairmanship of retired Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Charles Eporwei Edike.

The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola, is expected to attend as the Special Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker.

He is expected to outline the Federal Government’s vision for expanding the blue economy through policy reforms, infrastructure development, investment promotion and enhanced maritime governance.

The event will bring together an impressive lineup of key stakeholders, including the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Pius Akutah Ukeyima; Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; Acting Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Alhaji Umar Yusuf Girei; Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Dr. Kevin Okonna; Executive Director of the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Dr. Sule Abiodun; and Provost of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology (FCFMT), Dr. Chucks Paul Onuoha.

The panel discussion will be moderated by veteran maritime journalist Elder Asu Beks and is expected to examine critical issues ranging from maritime trade and port efficiency to inland waterways development, marine research, fisheries, Customs modernisation and investment opportunities within the blue economy.

Participants will also benefit from technical presentations by renowned maritime technocrat Lucky Amiwero, President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), and logistics expert Dr. Eugene Ifeanyichukwu Nweke, Head of Research at SEREC and former President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF).

Beyond the policy dialogue, the event will celebrate excellence through the TransQuest Awards, recognising individuals and organisations whose outstanding contributions have advanced Nigeria’s maritime, transport and Customs sectors.
Among the top honourees is the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, who will receive the Maritime Personality of the Year Award, while the Nigerian Ports Authority will be honoured as Maritime Agency of the Year for its transformational achievements in port infrastructure, operational efficiency and ongoing port modernisation initiatives under his leadership.

Several Nigeria Customs Service Area Controllers will also be recognised for exceptional performance in revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations and trade facilitation. They include Comptroller Joseph Anani (Tin Can Island Port Command), Comptroller G.I. Aliyu (Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’), Comptroller Godwin Otunla (Murtala Muhammed Airport Command), Comptroller Hawa Abubakar (Lagos Free Trade Zone Command), Comptroller Shuaibu Kaila (Seme Area Command), and Deputy Comptroller Moses Adewole.

The awards will equally spotlight emerging Customs leaders, including Comptroller O.O. Afeni of Ogun I Area Command for his anti-smuggling achievements and Comptroller Bolaji Adigun of Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command for pioneering operational reforms that have improved efficiency and service delivery.

Corporate organisations, maritime professionals and journalists who have distinguished themselves through exceptional service and contributions to the growth of the maritime and transport sectors will also be honoured during the ceremony.

According to the organisers, the symposium is designed to serve as a strategic platform for meaningful engagement among policymakers, regulators, academics and industry practitioners, with the objective of generating practical recommendations that will unlock the enormous economic potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.

The event is scheduled to commence at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Shoregate Hotel, 29 Joel Ogunnaike Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.