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Naval officers from 20 countries have commended Nigeria’s strides in maritime security coordination following a high-level knowledge-sharing visit to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) C4i Center in Lagos.
The officers, currently participating in the Siren Course onboard the French Navy vessel LHD Tonnerre, visited NIMASA as part of efforts to deepen understanding of how maritime administrations function within the framework of the Yaoundé Architecture for Maritime Safety and Security in West and Central Africa.
Led by the French Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Stéphane Oseo, the delegation described the collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA as a model partnership that has strengthened inter-agency coordination and reduced threats in the Gulf of Guinea.
“The synergy between the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA is exemplary and provides valuable lessons in joint maritime security operations,” Colonel Oseo noted.
The 40 participants, drawn from 20 nations, have been onboard the Tonnerre since September 1, making a two-day port call in Lagos. During the visit, they held technical sessions with officials of NIMASA’s Deep Blue Project, focusing on maritime domain awareness, surveillance technology, and coordinated security response mechanisms.
The delegation also toured the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (RMRCC), where they received briefings on Nigeria’s search and rescue protocols and inter-agency response strategies for maritime emergencies.
Representing NIMASA’s Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the Agency’s Director of Marine Environment Management, Mr. Heaky Dimowo, reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to regional cooperation for safer and more secure seas.
“Maritime security is a shared responsibility. NIMASA remains committed to working with our regional and international partners to sustain peace and safety in the Gulf of Guinea,” Dimowo stated.
The visit further underscores Nigeria’s growing reputation as a regional hub for maritime safety innovation and coordination, driven by strategic initiatives like the Deep Blue Project and the country’s active role in the Yaoundé regional security framework.
