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The Nigerian Navy has called for deeper collaboration with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in hydrography and wreck removal to further enhance safety of navigation in Nigerian waters.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command (FOC-WNC), Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, made the call during a familiarization visit to NIMASA headquarters, where he acknowledged the positive outcomes of the longstanding partnership between both agencies.
Rear Admiral Mustapha said the sustained collaboration between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy has significantly contributed to the relative calm currently experienced within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
“The longstanding and unwavering partnership NIMASA has maintained with the Nigerian Navy has culminated in the tranquility being witnessed in our maritime space, clearly reflecting the strength of this collaboration,” he said.
He stressed that improved intelligence and information sharing, particularly through the integration of NIMASA’s Command, Control, Communication, Computer and Intelligence (C4i) Centre with the Navy’s Falcon Eye surveillance system—would further strengthen maritime security.
The naval chief also commended NIMASA for providing and maintaining assets under the Deep Blue Project, noting that the platforms operated by the Nigerian Navy have significantly boosted operational effectiveness.
Mustapha further disclosed that the deployment of newly acquired hydrographic vessels, capable of accurately identifying the location and dimensions of wrecks, would enhance NIMASA’s capacity for efficient wreck removal and safer navigation.
According to him, the use of advanced platforms such as NNS Lana and NNS Ochuzor has already contributed to improved safety standards in the maritime sector, underscoring the need for sustained joint efforts.
Responding, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, described maritime security as central to the Federal Government’s economic diversification drive under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted that a secure maritime environment is critical to attracting investment and enabling maritime trade to thrive.
“The maritime sector is at the forefront of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the nation’s economic diversification policy. Providing a safe and secure maritime space is a shared responsibility, and achieving optimal security is what gives shipping companies the confidence to invest,” Mobereola said.
The NIMASA boss also acknowledged the support of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, whose commitment to developing the Blue Economy sector, he said, continues to yield tangible results.
Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration to sustain maritime safety, security, and operational efficiency in Nigerian waters.
