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NIMASA seeks enhanced funding, favourable policies to empower indigenous ship building, shipyards

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)has reiterated its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s shipbuilding and shipyard development as part of efforts to deepen the blue economy and curb capital flight.

This assurance was given at a stakeholders’ breakfast meeting organised by the Agency with the theme “Dissecting the Issues, Challenges, and Prospects in the Shipbuilding Segment – Discussing Funding Models, Incentives, and Policy Support for Shipyards Growth.”

The event held at the Nigerian Maritime Resource Development Centre (NMRDC), Kirikiri, Lagos.

Delivering the welcome address as Chairman of the occasion, the Executive Director, Operations, NIMASA, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, noted that shipbuilding remains a capital-intensive, cyclical and technically demanding sector that requires deliberate policy and financial interventions to achieve sustainable growth.

Adeyemi, who was represented by the Director, Marine Environment Management, Dr. Oma Offodile, said the breakfast meeting was designed to provide a clear assessment of the structural challenges confronting the shipbuilding segment and to collectively agree on pragmatic funding models, incentives and policy options capable of driving competitive shipyard growth in Nigeria.

“Shipbuilding is a strategic pillar of Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy aspirations.

” It is capital-intensive, technically demanding and highly competitive, which is why deliberate funding models, targeted incentives and consistent policies are critical.

Through engagements like these, NIMASA is working with industry stakeholders to address structural constraints, build local capacity, curb capital flight and position Nigerian shipyards to compete sustainably, while supporting decarbonisation, job creation and our obligations at the International Maritime Organisation,” he said.

Engr Adeyemi explained that global developments such as maritime decarbonisation and fuel transition, supply chain fragility and geopolitical concerns have reshaped the shipbuilding landscape, increasing the demand for strong domestic capacity to support shipping, offshore energy, defence and other critical maritime assets.

Engr. Adeyemi identified key challenges facing the sector to include restricted access to capital due to high capital expenditure and cyclical revenues, shortage of skilled manpower, underinvestment in automation and green technologies, insufficient scale to compete globally, as well as policy inconsistency and procurement uncertainty.

He added that shipyards are pivotal to maritime decarbonisation, as they are responsible for building energy-efficient vessels that meet the standards of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), stressing the need to sustain Nigeria’s recent return to Category C of the IMO Council.

According to him, a vibrant shipbuilding industry remains critical to job creation and the overall blue economy matrix.

Delivering the keynote address, the Managing Director of Starz Marine Limited, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, commended the Federal Government for the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, describing it as a strategic step towards unlocking the full potential of the maritime sector.

He also called for deliberate government support for shipyard operators to enhance capacity, improve competitiveness and attract investment.

Earlier in their goodwill messages, shipyard owners in Nigeria expressed willingness to collaborate with NIMASA to curb capital flight and build local capacity within the sector.

They emphasised the importance of targeted support, skills development and policy stability to enable shipyards compete effectively.

Overall, stakeholders at the meeting expressed strong support for NIMASA’s renewed drive to support shipyard operators and deepen local shipbuilding capacity.

Participants agreed on the need for coordinated funding mechanisms, incentives and policy consistency to address near, medium and long-term challenges in the sector.

The Agency’s renewed focus on shipyard development aligns with the provisions of the NIMASA Act, 2007, which mandate the Agency to promote maritime safety, shipping development and capacity building within Nigeria’s maritime industry.

Supporting shipyard operations, indigenous shipbuilding capacity and associated infrastructure therefore remains central to its statutory responsibility to facilitate sustainable growth of the maritime sector and advance Nigeria’s blue economy objectives.

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Headlines

Jolapamo retrieves Ikoyi home, N473.347m from ex- wife, as court awards N5m damages against estranged wife 

Funso OLOJO with agency report 
Chief Isaac Morakinyo Jolapamo, the CEO of Molap Shipping Company, has won a hard- fought and long- drawn legal battle against his ex- wife , Ms Olufunke Otti, a former staff of the Nigeria Television Authority(NTA) and a Lagos – based business woman.
Delivering judgment in suit No. LD/3034LM/2022 on March 26th, 2026, Justice Olufolake Olufolashade Adewunmi-Oshin, declared that the property located at 23A & B Olusegun Aina Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, rightfully belongs to Chief Jolapamo and not Ms. Otti.
The court consequently ordered her to relinquish the property to him.
In addition, the court directed Ms. Otti to refund N410,347,000.00 to Chief Jolapamo, representing the outstanding balance from the proceeds of the sale of two vessels.
 She was also ordered to remit N63,000,000.00, being rental income collected from tenants between 2018 and 2021.
Furthermore, the court awarded N5 million in general damages against her.
Ms. Otti and Chief Jolapamo were formerly married.
Their relationship began at the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), where Chief Jolapamo had gone in search of spiritual and personal support during a difficult period.
 Ms. Otti, a senior member of the church, was assigned to assist him, and their relationship eventually developed into a romantic one.
The couple formalized their union on February 23rd, 2017, at the Federal Marriage Registry in Ikoyi, Lagos.
During the marriage, Chief Jolapamo entrusted his wife with significant business responsibilities, including the sale of two vessels—M.T. MOR Prosperity and M.T. Power—with instructions to use the proceeds to acquire a matrimonial home in Parkview Estate.
Ms. Otti sold the vessels for N810,347,000.00 and purchased the property as directed.
However, she allegedly registered the property solely in her name without her husband’s knowledge.
Their relationship later collapsed dramatically in 2019 after Ms. Otti reportedly informed her husband via WhatsApp messages, while he was abroad, that she was no longer interested in the marriage and asked him to vacate the home. They had since lived apart.
This revelation marked the beginning of a prolonged legal dispute between the couple, who had ceased living together as husband and wife since March 2019.
 Their marriage was officially dissolved in April 2025.
With the court’s judgment delivered on March 26th, 2026, Chief Jolapamo has now successfully reclaimed his property and financial entitlements.
Justice Michael Awe of Osun State High Court, Osogbo, had dissolved the eight-year-old marriage in 2025 between the Septuagenarian former President of Nigerian Indigenous Shipowners Association (NISA) and partner over threat to life by wife.
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Headlines

May Day: Mobereola salutes maritime workers for passion, dedication to building virile industry 

Gloria Odion,  Maritime reporter 

The Director – General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has saluted the courage , passion and dedication of maritime workers to building strong and virile industry.
In his message at the Workers’ day on May 1st, 2026, the NIMASA DG extolled the virtues of workers and acknowledged the distinguished service of various stakeholders whose efforts he noted continue to significantly contribute to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.
Dr. Mobereola, while wishing stakeholders a Happy Workers’ Day said “to all the amazing officers and stakeholders in the maritime sector who bring their passion and expertise to work daily.

“Thank you for your dedication and invaluable contributions”.

He emphasized that as a regulator, the Agency remains committed to its oversight function of regulating maritime labour activities in the industry in line with extant instruments and the expectations of the theme of the 2026 Workers’ Day, which focuses on safety, dignity and productivity.

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Customs

Kaila, Seme Customs CAC, seeks collaboration with stakeholders to achieve seemless trade along border corridor 

Funso OLOJO, Editor
The new Area Controller of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, has  reached out to traditional rulers and  sister agencies at the border communities to ensure the achievement of his mandate of detection, determent of smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation along the border corridor.
To achieve these objectives, Comptroller Kaila went on tour of the communities within the border corridor where he met and sought for the support and cooperation of major critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and sister agencies.
According to him, his objective was to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.
Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Customs Area Controller condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well recognized traditional ruler across the border communities.
“”The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.
“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling.
“And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers” he said
 The King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request.
” Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade, ” he stated.
Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border  communities
“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required.
” In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate, ” he mentioned
While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom, the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described the CAC, Comptroller Kaila as a professional, seasoned and well respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.
“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need.
“Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your presence here, things will change for the better, ” he said
In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, Kaila also visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air force base, Ahanve-Badagry.
The  Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy  Medugu,expressed the  readiness of the formation to always support the command in achieving its mandate.
“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility.
” Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted ,” he said
The Area Controller then ended his familirisation tour with seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office, showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.
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