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Anchored in partnership: IMO Secretary- General visit rekindles Nigeria’s Maritime Ambition

In a visit that underscored unity of purpose and the power of collaboration, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, engaged with Nigeria’s leadership to strengthen maritime partnerships, deepen capacity, and reaffirm the country’s rising influence in global maritime affairs. 

His engagements, from his courtesy visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to his tours of keymaritime infrastructure and the Institute of Maritime Studies at the University of Lagos, among others; the engagement reflected a renewed momentum in Nigeria’s blue economy journey. 
In this article, Oluwafemi Kumuyi highlights the importance of this visit and its implications for the future ofNigeria’s maritime sector. 
“No man is an island,” goes the old saying; a reminder that progress, whether personal or institutional, is rarely achieved in isolation.
Every thriving system is built on the strength of its partnerships, the alignment of shared visions, and the willingness to work together for common good.
This principle sits at the core of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals, which emphasizes collaboration as the cornerstone of sustainable development.

 It is in this spirit that the recent visit of the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, to Nigeria took place; a visit that underscores the importance of partnerships in driving the nation’s maritime ambitions and deepening global cooperation within the blue economy space.

Accompanied by the Director- General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the IMO Secretary-General was warmly

received by the Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, whose leadership continues to steer Nigeria’s Blue Economy sector towards operational excellence and global relevance.

His itinerary was a carefully woven tapestry of engagements; from high-level discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  to tours of strategic maritime infrastructure and educational institutions,all reflecting Nigeria’s steady and deliberate march toward a more vibrant and globally competitive maritime sector.

During his courtesy call on the Nigerian President, both leaders explored new frontiers of partnership aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s aspiration to stand among the world’s foremost maritime nations.

 Their discussions, anchored on shared values of safety, sustainability, and innovation, reflected the strong alignment between Nigeria’s Blue Economy agenda and the IMO’s global mission of ensuring safer seas and cleaner oceans.

Interestingly, Dominguez’s tour of strategic maritime facilities further brought Nigeria’s growing capabilities into the spotlight.

A major highlight was his visit to the NNS Lana, the Nigerian Navy’s purpose-built hydrographic and oceanographic research vessel.
The NNS Lana, a 60-metre marvel of marine engineering, is equipped with sophisticated multi-beam echo sounders, side-scan sonar, and advanced oceanographic sensors.

It serves as a vital tool for hydrographic surveying, seabed mapping, and environmental monitoring, all of which contribute significantly to safer navigation and maritime environmental protection.

At the NIMASA C4i Centre, Mr. Dominguez witnessed a live demonstration of how technology and strategy converge to safeguard Nigeria’s waters.

 The Centre, an acronym for Command, Control, Communication, Computer, and Intelligence, serves as the heartbeat of Nigeria’s maritime security architecture.
 Integrated with radar stations, coastal cameras, and satellite feeds, it provides real-time surveillance and enables rapid response to maritime incidents.

Operated under the Deep Blue Project, the C4i Centre stands as a testament to Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to combating piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling, and other maritime crimes across the Gulf of Guinea.

To further demonstrate operational readiness, the delegation visited the Ojo Cantonment, where a simulation exercise vividly showcased the seamless coordination between NIMASA’s Deep Blue assets and the Nigerian Armed Forces.

 The synchronized display of air, land, and sea platforms working in unison underscored the effectiveness of Nigeria’s multi-agency approach to maritime security, a model that has contributed significantly to the remarkable reduction of piracy incidents in recent years.

In continuation of his engagements, Mr. Dominguez held an interactive session with Nigerian seafarers, a rare and valuable opportunity for the nation’s maritime workforce to share their experiences, challenges, and aspirations directly with the IMO’s top leadership.

 The discussions covered key issues such as certification, welfare, training, and global employability of Nigerian seafarers.
 Mr. Dominguez commended their resilience and professionalism, averring that the heart of global shipping beats through the dedication of seafarers.

 He encouraged Nigerian seafarers to continually upgrade their skills and competencies in line with evolving international standards, while reiterating the IMO’s commitment to promoting fair treatment, mental well-being, and equal opportunities for all maritime professionals.

Interestingly, during his tour, he visited the Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS) building at the University of Lagos, a project sponsored and delivered by NIMASA.

The establishment of the institute marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s long-term vision to strengthen maritime education, bridge capacity gaps, and empower a new generation of professionals equipped to drive the nation’s Blue Economy forward.

Speaking during the visit, Honourable Minister of Marine and economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, described the maritime sector as Nigeria’s next frontier of opportunity in a post-oil era.

 “With a 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), 853 kilometres of coastline, and over 10,000 kilometres of inland waterways, Nigeria is strategically positioned.

” It is time to unlock the full potential of the maritime sector, and that starts with building local capacity,” he stated.

The Minister further emphasized that maritime education must be at the heart of Nigeria’s development strategies, given the sector’s vast potential to generate foreign exchange, create jobs, and drive sustainable economic transformation.

 He also urged Nigerian youths to embrace maritime careers, noting that the government and its partners have laid a solid foundation for a prosperous and globally competitive Blue Economy.

For the IMO Secretary-General, the initiative resonated deeply with the organization’s own goals of inclusivity and sustainability in maritime governance.

 “The maritime sector is an incredible one with boundless opportunities. Bringing maritime into universities like UNILAG connects students directly with the industry.
“It’s how we attract and equip the next generation of maritime professionals,” Mr. Dominguez noted.

He further encouraged students and faculty members to explore the IMO’s e-Learning platform and programmes of the World Maritime University (WMU), affirming that knowledge remains the strongest anchor of maritime progress.

In his remarks, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, expressed pride in NIMASA’s commitment to supporting educational development.

 “This Institute is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s maritime future. We are proud to support the University of Lagos in shaping a new generation of professionals who will drive the sector forward,” he stated.
 The commissioning ceremony not only celebrated infrastructure but symbolized a deeper commitment to learning, innovation, and long-term capacity building.

The interaction between Mr. Dominguez and the students of the Institute served as a bridge between aspiration and opportunity, between local vision and global relevance.

Ultimately, the visit of Mr. Arsenio Dominguez reaffirmed what Nigeria has long stood for; that progress in the maritime domain thrives on partnerships built on trust, shared purpose, and sustainable values.

 From technology to education, and from diplomacy to security, his engagements showcased the multi-dimensional strength of Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem; one that continues to evolve under the visionary coordination of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

Under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy,  Adegboyega Oyetola and the strategic direction of NIMASA under Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Nigeria is repositioning its maritime narrative, from reactive to proactive, and from potential to performance.

Every new investment, whether in education, safety, infrastructure, or environmental stewardship, represents a deliberate stride toward unlocking the nation’s vast maritime potential and reaffirming its status as Africa’s maritime hub.

As the tide of global collaboration continues to rise, one message resounds clearly; Nigeria is ready to lead, not merely as a beneficiary of international partnerships, but as an equal player in shaping the future of global maritime governance.

 Anchored in partnership, powered by vision, and sailing with purpose, Nigeria is confidently charting a course toward a sustainable blue future.

Oluwafemi Kumuyi, an Assistant Chief Public Relations Officer with NIMASA, writes from Lagos. 

 

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Analyses

The invisible toll gates:Why National Single Window is Nigeria’s ultimate economic battleground

Monday Discourse with  Ibrahim Nasiru
Walk into any market in Nigeria today, from the commercial hubs of Lagos to the roadside stalls in Yola, and ask why a bag of rice or an imported spare part costs three times what it did last year.
The typical public commentator will blame global inflation, floating currencies, or macro-economic shocks.
But those who understand logistics know the real truth lies buried under layers of paper, manual stamps, and artificial delays at our seaports.
Nigeria’s international trade is suffocating not from a lack of deep water, but from a deliberate design of convenience.
The recent operational rollout of the National Single Window (NSW) has triggered behind-the-scenes panic among Port cartels, and for good reason.
For decades, keeping our clearing processes fragmented, manual, and dependent on desk-to-desk human interaction was the perfect business model for syndicates.
When cargo dwell times drag on for 21 days, those delays are money in the pockets of the gatekeepers and a death sentence for local businesses.
Let us look at the raw field realities. The push by the Nigeria Customs Service to aggressively crash clearance times down to global 48-hour standards is meeting fierce internal resistance.
Why? Because a unified digital ecosystem means you cannot easily manipulate documentation, hide illicit cargo, or demand “mobilization fees” before signing off a container.
The outcry and protests from certain freight-forwarding syndicates aren’t about technical glitches; they are about the sudden closure of invisible toll gates.
This is exactly why governance at our national gateways can no longer be left to the mercy of transactional bureaucratic habits.
Building deep-sea infrastructure like Lekki Port is a massive physical achievement, but concrete and cranes are useless if the administrative processes at the gate remain backward.
 Real structural reform requires turning our Ports into automated, friction-free pipelines that prioritize production over rent-seeking.
If Nigeria wants to survive this fiscal squeeze, the National Single Window cannot just be treated as another glossy IT project launched in Abuja.
 It requires unyielding administrative enforcement to completely dismantle the corrupt cartels managing the manual desk chains.
The invisible toll gates at our Ports must be completely demolished, and that exact same structural discipline must be scaled across our border stations and trade corridors.
The era of managing international trade with 20th-century paper trails is dying. The future belongs to the builders of automated, transparent systems.
Chief Ibrahim Nasiru, a public affairs analyst,  writes from Abuja 
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Headlines

NANTA Exco embarks on seven-day Ghana retreat, fam trip to deepen regional tourism partnership

Gloria Odion, Reporter

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has commenced a seven-day executive retreat and familiarisation (fam) trip to Ghana, hosted by Safari World, as part of efforts to strengthen regional tourism partnerships and expand cross-border travel opportunities.

The NANTA delegation was received at Safari World Homes in Accra by the Chairman of the Safari World Group, Mr. Ernest Gyekye, who expressed delight at hosting the Nigerian travel trade leaders.

He assured the delegation of a memorable experience throughout their week-long stay.

Speaking on the significance of the visit, NANTA President, Mr. Yinka Folami, described the retreat and familiarisation tour as a strategic initiative aimed at fostering stronger business relationships and promoting collaborative tourism development across Africa.

“This mission is not a leisure trip,” Folami said. “It is a deliberate step to implement and expand our association’s marketing advocacy for Nigerian brands across borders.”

He noted that Nigeria and Ghana share deep historical, cultural and commercial ties that should be leveraged to drive tourism growth on the continent.

“Nigeria and Ghana share history, culture, trade and people. The future of our tourism cannot be built in silos,” he said.

“This retreat is about moving from policy to practice—creating real products, real partnerships and real movement of travellers between Accra and Lagos.”

As part of the programme, the NANTA executives will engage in strategic business-to-business (B2B) meetings with their Ghanaian counterparts, tour key tourism destinations under the Safari World brand, and participate in cultural exchange activities designed to promote stronger bilateral tourism cooperation.

The itinerary spans Safari World’s three flagship destinations, including Safari Homes in Accra, the Aqua Safari riverfront experience, Safari Island Cruise, Safari Nautica, and Safari Recreation and Sports facilities in Ada, as well as the Safari Valley Eco Resort and Safari Eco Park in Dawu.

Operating under the brand promise, “One World, Three Destinations, Over 20 Unique Experiences,” Safari World is leveraging the visit to strengthen its footprint in the Nigerian travel market while positioning Ghana as a premier destination for leisure tourism, conferences, group travel, family holidays and premium tourism experiences.

A major highlight of the visit will be the Executive Dinner scheduled for July 21 at the Safari Valley Eco Resort, where key stakeholders from Nigeria and Ghana’s tourism industries will deliberate on strategies for deepening travel trade and advancing regional tourism development.

The familiarisation tour is expected to provide NANTA’s leadership with first-hand knowledge of Safari World’s tourism offerings, paving the way for the development of attractive travel packages and stronger business partnerships that will benefit Nigerian travellers and the wider West African tourism industry.

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Customs

Ogun Customs spurns claims of Smugglers’ takeover of Idiroko–Sango Ota trading Route

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed as false reports alleging that smugglers had taken over the Idiroko–Sango Ota trading route in Ogun State, describing the claims as a deliberate misrepresentation of a traffic incident.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs (SC) Chado, the Command clarified that the traffic gridlock on the route resulted from the breakdown of an articulated commercial trailer after it fell into a badly deteriorated section of Atan Road, temporarily obstructing the free flow of traffic.
According to the Command, the vehicles caught in the ensuing congestion were legitimate commercial trucks transporting red palm oil to various local markets and had no connection whatsoever with smuggling activities.
It explained that the large number of heavy-duty trucks trapped in the gridlock may have led some members of the public to wrongly conclude that smugglers had taken over the road.
“The reports that smugglers blocked the road are inaccurate. The disruption resulted from a road accident and poor road conditions. The vehicles involved were lawful commercial vehicles transporting red palm oil for legitimate trade,” Chado stated.
The Command urged journalists, social media users and the general public to verify information before disseminating reports capable of creating unnecessary panic or undermining public confidence in security agencies.
Observers within the border trade sector noted that the allegation does not reflect the prevailing security situation within the Ogun I Area Command, where anti-smuggling operations have been intensified under the leadership of the Acting Customs Area Controller, Comptroller O.O. Afeni.
Since assuming office, Comptroller Afeni has strengthened intelligence-driven surveillance, enhanced collaboration with other security agencies and host communities, and sustained pressure on economic saboteurs operating along the Ogun border corridors.
These measures, according to stakeholders, have resulted in significant seizures of prohibited goods and reinforced the Command’s resolve to safeguard Nigeria’s economy and territorial integrity.
Maritime and border trade stakeholders also cautioned against the spread of unverified information capable of undermining the efforts of security personnel or creating a false impression of lawlessness in border communities.
They stressed that while combating smuggling remains an ongoing responsibility, responsible and accurate reporting is equally critical to ensuring that operational achievements are not overshadowed by misinformation.
The Ogun I Area Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining its anti-smuggling campaign while facilitating legitimate cross-border trade in line with the statutory mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.

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