NIMASA, Ghana Sign MoU to Strengthen Maritime Cooperation, Blue Economy
Oru Leonard
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation, improve regional maritime governance, and promote the sustainable development of the Blue Economy in West Africa.
The agreement, signed in Lagos, provides a framework for collaboration in maritime safety and security, mutual recognition of Certificates of Competency (CoC), institutional capacity building, knowledge sharing, comparative research, joint enforcement operations, and coordinated participation at international maritime forums.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, commended Ghana for its support during Nigeria’s successful re-election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Category C Council, describing the partnership between both countries as a catalyst for maritime development in the region.
Mobereola said the MoU represents a practical commitment to deepen cooperation, stressing that its success would depend on effective implementation and measurable outcomes.
“We will continue to work together to grow our economies and make the maritime sector safer. This Memorandum of Understanding is a commitment to do better. NIMASA will fully play its part in implementing the agreement, while both institutions must establish annual implementation agendas to monitor progress and deliver tangible results,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria and Ghana, as two of West Africa’s leading maritime nations, have a shared responsibility to shape the future of the region’s maritime industry and unlock the vast opportunities within the Blue Economy.
As part of the agreement, both agencies will establish a Joint Consultative Team (JCT) to coordinate implementation, develop action plans, monitor agreed programmes, and facilitate collaboration through designated focal persons. The team will meet twice yearly, with meetings alternating between Nigeria and Ghana.
According to NIMASA, the MoU is expected to strengthen maritime governance, improve institutional capacity, promote evidence-based policymaking through comparative research, enhance regulatory effectiveness, and reinforce joint efforts to combat piracy, armed robbery at sea, and maritime terrorism, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, described the agreement as another milestone in the longstanding relationship between both maritime institutions.
He acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership in the regional maritime sector, noting that Ghana has benefited from several Nigerian maritime initiatives, including the country’s Cabotage regime, ship registry, and regulatory frameworks.
“This Memorandum of Understanding consolidates an already mutually beneficial relationship. Ghana remains fully committed to implementing every aspect of the agreement as we continue to learn from one another and work together to strengthen maritime administration across the region,” Ali said.
The signing of the MoU underscores the commitment of Nigeria and Ghana to advancing regional integration, enhancing maritime safety and security, and driving sustainable economic growth through stronger institutional collaboration.
