World Maritime Day 2026: Mobereola Says Nigeria’s Strength Will Be Measured By Action, Not Policies

By Stella Okocha 

The Director General/CEO of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has said the strength of Nigeria as a maritime nation will not be measured by policies developed but by the ability to translate them into measurable outcomes for the people and industry.

Dr. Mobereola stated this in his goodwill message at the 2026 World Maritime Day celebration themed: “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.”

He said Nigeria’s maritime sector remains a strategic pillar of national economic development, serving as the gateway for global trade, catalyst for investment and employment, and enabler of industries and livelihoods.

According to him, the theme challenges stakeholders to look beyond regulations and institutional frameworks to ask what difference the measures are making in lives and industry performance.

Mobereola noted that in 2025, Nigeria accounted for over 46% of total port calls in the Gulf of Guinea, reflecting the scale and strategic importance of its maritime domain and the need to strengthen systems, institutions and human capacity.

“But maritime excellence cannot be measured by traffic and statistics alone,” he said.

“It must also be reflected in the safety and security of our waters, the efficiency of our ports and shipping operations, the protection of our marine environment, the welfare and professional development of our seafarers, and the extent to which Nigerians are able to participate meaningfully in the ownership, operation and management of maritime assets.”

He said the true value of regulation lies in its implementation and outcomes – policies must create safer seas, regulations must promote efficient operations, standards must strengthen professionalism, and growth must translate into greater opportunities for Nigerians.

The NIMASA DG listed progress recorded in the last two years with the support of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, to include sustained zero piracy incidents in Nigerian waters over four years, Nigeria’s re-election to the IMO Council after 14 years, lifting of the US Condition of Entry restrictions after 12 years, establishment of the CVFF application portal and ongoing disbursement process, full automation of the Nigerian Ship Registry, and implementation of the IMO STCW Compliance Audit after 18 years.

He said these are more than institutional milestones, as safer waters mean greater confidence for vessels and investors, automated registry makes the Nigerian flag more attractive, improved seafarer standards expand opportunities in the global labour market, and access to financing helps Nigerian businesses acquire assets and create jobs.

“Government action must reach beyond institutions and documents and produce tangible outcomes for people, businesses and the wider economy,” Mobereola said.

He however cautioned against complacency, saying gains must be consolidated through sustained investment, stronger inter-agency collaboration, capacity development, technological innovation and modern maritime infrastructure.

He stressed that achieving maritime excellence requires partnership among the Ministry, its agencies, terminal operators, shipowners, seafarers, maritime labour, financial institutions, academia, development partners and private sector.

Mobereola also paid tribute to seafarers, dockworkers, port workers, ship operators, regulators, security personnel and engineers who keep the industry moving, saying their safety, welfare and dignity must remain at the heart of policies.

“Let us renew our collective commitment to building a Nigerian maritime sector that is safe, secure, efficient, sustainable, globally competitive and firmly anchored on indigenous capacity. Let us move from policy to practice. Let us move from potential to prosperity,” he said.