Nigeria’s maritime industry is set to take center stage globally as the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, prepares for a three-day working visit to the country between October 2 and 4, 2025.
The disclosure came from the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, who spoke in Lagos during a courtesy visit by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Michael Gregory Oamen.
According to Dr. Mobereola, the IMO chief’s visit underscores the international community’s recognition of Nigeria’s commitment to maritime safety, security, and cooperation across regional waters.
He praised the Nigerian Navy for its long-standing collaboration with NIMASA, noting that the partnership has become a model for maritime development in Africa and beyond.
“The visit of the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command is yet another demonstration of the deep and successful partnership between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy, which has continued to yield positive outcomes for the maritime sector and the nation at large,” he remarked.
The NIMASA DG highlighted that joint efforts with the Navy have significantly reduced piracy and maritime crimes, not just within Nigerian waters but across the wider Gulf of Guinea.
He stressed that these successes serve as a template for other government agencies and regional partners seeking to tackle security challenges through collaboration and shared responsibility.
During his forthcoming visit, the IMO Secretary-General is expected to tour key Nigerian Navy facilities as well as NIMASA’s operational installations in Lagos.
This, Dr. Mobereola explained, would provide Mr. Dominguez with firsthand insight into Nigeria’s maritime security architecture and the progress achieved through cooperative strategies.
Rear Admiral Oamen, in his response, commended NIMASA’s current leadership for maintaining synergy with the Navy, noting that such collaboration is crucial to the stability and growth of Nigeria’s maritime economy.
He reaffirmed the Navy’s readiness to continue working with NIMASA to secure national waters, protect shipping routes, and uphold international best practices in maritime governance.
The Admiral described the IMO Secretary-General’s visit as a milestone that would further elevate Nigeria’s image as a responsible maritime nation committed to international cooperation.
Observers note that the visit also aligns with global efforts to strengthen the Gulf of Guinea’s security framework, a region that has witnessed significant improvements in piracy reduction over the past five years.
For stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry, the IMO chief’s presence is both symbolic and strategic, offering an opportunity to deepen international partnerships and attract greater support for ongoing reforms.
As October approaches, anticipation is building within maritime circles that the visit will cement Nigeria’s standing as a key player in shaping the future of global shipping and maritime safety.
