The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Domínguez, has praised Nigeria’s strides in maritime security and its commitment to developing the blue economy. He described Nigeria’s success in achieving over three years without piracy incidents as a remarkable feat, noting that the country’s Deep Blue Project stands out as a model of regional cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea.
Mr. Domínguez made these remarks during his courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, in Abuja on Thursday. He highlighted that Nigeria’s heavy investments in maritime safety infrastructure, coupled with the collaboration of security agencies – particularly the Nigerian Navy – have significantly curbed piracy and other maritime crimes. According to him, these achievements not only secure Nigeria’s waters but also enhance maritime safety across West and Central Africa.
The IMO chief also commended Nigeria’s recent submission to the organization detailing its national and regional security initiatives. While celebrating the progress made, he stressed the importance of continued support for infrastructure upgrades, acquisition of modern equipment, and institutional strengthening. He pledged that the IMO would sustain its technical assistance through awareness campaigns, training, and capacity-building programmes.
In outlining ongoing and future IMO projects, Mr. Domínguez referenced a regional conference scheduled for Ghana in January on the Safe Seas Project, aimed at consolidating contributions from Nigeria and other partner states. He further announced discussions with the European Union on a new maritime governance project focusing on ports and security, alongside two regional initiatives in Southern and Western Africa that will be tracked through measurable indicators.
Beyond security, the IMO Secretary-General stressed the urgency for African nations to prepare for global shifts such as the energy transition, adoption of biofuels, and the financing of sustainable maritime development. He applauded Nigeria’s Blue Economy Policy as a forward-looking framework for sustainable exploitation of marine resources. He also commended the training infrastructure at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, urging stronger collaboration between the academy, the Ministry of Education, and industry players to prepare Nigerian youths for maritime careers.
Responding, Minister Oyetola emphasized that the IMO chief’s visit was a testament to Nigeria’s strong ties with the global maritime body. He credited the partnership with the Nigerian Navy and other stakeholders for suppressing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. Oyetola reaffirmed Nigeria’s resolve to consolidate its recent gains while expanding opportunities in the marine and blue economy.
The visit featured presentations by key stakeholders. While the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, outlined reforms in security, seafarer welfare, and regulatory systems to position Nigeria as a maritime leader, the Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Dr. Kevin Okonna, showcased the academy’s advanced training facilities and advocated global partnerships for cadet training.
Similarly, Mr. Wang Qiang, Managing Director of the Lekki Free Trade Zone, emphasized the port’s role in boosting cargo capacity, job creation, and foreign investment inflows.
Mr. Domínguez also interacted with cadets of the Maritime Academy, encouraging them to embrace opportunities in renewable energy, green shipping, and maritime technology. He reiterated IMO’s commitment to deepening its collaboration with Nigeria to advance maritime safety, governance, and sustainable blue economy growth.
