Nigeria has strengthened its position as a leading maritime nation in West and Central Africa after surpassing the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (Abuja MoU) benchmark for Port State Control (PSC) inspections, recording an impressive 917 vessel inspections in 2025.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, disclosed this on Monday during the Abuja MoU Regional Workshop for Directors-General and Chief Executive Officers of Maritime Administrations held in Lagos.
According to Mobereola, Nigeria achieved a Port State Control inspection rate of 23.5 per cent, significantly exceeding the Abuja MoU regional minimum target of 15 per cent.
He described the feat as a reflection of the country’s commitment to enforcing global maritime standards, improving shipping safety, safeguarding the marine environment, and eliminating substandard vessels from Nigerian waters.
He welcomed participants from Abuja MoU member states to the workshop, describing the gathering as a strategic platform for maritime regulators, Directors-General, Chief Executive Officers, and Heads of Port State Control to strengthen collaboration and improve maritime governance across the region.
The NIMASA boss also praised the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for providing the leadership driving Nigeria’s marine and blue economy agenda.
He equally acknowledged the Chairman of the Abuja MoU and The Gambia’s Minister of Transport, Hon. Ebrima Sillah, for his continued dedication to enhancing regional maritime cooperation.
Mobereola noted that the workshop marks the launch of a five-year Port State Control Capacity-Building Programme, jointly funded by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation and the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding.
He described the initiative as a major investment in developing human capacity, strengthening institutions, and enhancing regulatory excellence across West and Central Africa.
He also commended the Secretary-General of the Abuja MoU, Captain Sunday Umoren, for facilitating the partnership that made the programme possible.
Speaking on the theme, “A Future-Ready Port State Control Regime: Leadership, People, Governance, and Performance for Safer Maritime Systems,” Mobereola stressed that the maritime sector must remain proactive in addressing emerging challenges such as digital transformation, decarbonisation, and evolving international regulations.
He maintained that effective Port State Control remains critical to ensuring maritime safety, protecting the marine environment, and promoting fair competition within the global shipping industry, adding that stronger inspection systems are essential for enforcing compliance with international maritime conventions.
While acknowledging progress across the region, the NIMASA Director-General observed that only 16 of the 22 Abuja MoU member states currently conduct regular Port State Control inspections.
He called for greater investment in personnel development, inspector competence, institutional capacity, and regional collaboration to improve performance.
Mobereola expressed confidence that discussions during the workshop, focusing on leadership, governance, inspector competency, digital innovation, performance management, and gender inclusion, would further strengthen maritime institutions and deepen cooperation among member states.
“The Abuja MoU succeeds because of our shared commitment.
By investing in people, sharing knowledge, and embracing global best practices, we can continue to raise maritime safety standards and build a safer, more efficient maritime sector across the region,” he said.
