The Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African Region (Abuja MoU) Committee, comprising 22 member countries spanning West and Central Africa from Mauritania to South Africa, has unanimously extended the tenure of Captain Sunday Umoren as Secretary-General for another four-year term.
The decision was taken during the closed session of the Abuja MOU’s annual meeting currently holding in Conakry, Guinea, from October 6th to 10th, 2025.
According to sources at the meeting, Captain Umoren was extolled for his outstanding leadership and transformative reforms that have strengthened port state control regimes across the region.
Nigeria’s delegation to the meeting was led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, alongside the Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron, Dr. Kenin Okonna; and the President of Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (AMANO), Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa.
Under Umoren’s stewardship, the Abuja MOU has improved regional maritime safety oversight, compliance monitoring, and capacity development for member nations, efforts that have drawn commendations from international maritime stakeholders.
The meeting also provides a strategic platform for Nigeria to galvanize continental support for its re-election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council) ahead of the global body’s assembly later this year.
With Umoren’s reappointment, stakeholders are optimistic that the region is poised for deeper collaboration and stronger regulatory alignment towards safer, cleaner, and more efficient maritime operations in Africa.
