By DECAN
The Nigerian Navy (NN) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have renewed their strategic partnership through a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The agreement is aimed at strengthening maritime safety and security, intelligence sharing, law enforcement and other areas within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The signing ceremony was held on Tuesday at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja, and witnessed by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas.
Also present was the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, alongside Principal Staff Officers and senior officials of both organisations.
The Navy, in a statement signed by Navy Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho on behalf of the CNS, said the renewed MoU consolidated a partnership dating back to 2007.
It said the agreement was designed to align the complementary mandates, capabilities and expertise of both institutions for improved maritime safety and security outcomes.
Speaking before the signing, Mobereola said the renewal reaffirmed the commitment of both organisations to the security, safety, sustainability and prosperity of Nigeria’s maritime domain.
He said Nigeria’s economic wellbeing was closely connected to the sea, stressing that securing the nation’s maritime space remained a national imperative.
Mobereola described the Nigerian Navy as a critical pillar of the country’s maritime security architecture and acknowledged its operational support to NIMASA.
He said such support had been instrumental to the agency in discharging its statutory responsibilities within the maritime sector.
Abbas described the renewed MoU as an important milestone in an enduring relationship founded on decades of cooperation and shared national interests.
The CNS expressed confidence in the leadership of NIMASA and the progress recorded by the agency, while reaffirming the Navy’s commitment to sustained collaboration.
He pledged the Navy’s operational support for the effective discharge of NIMASA’s mandate throughout the five-year period covered by the agreement.
According to the statement, both organisations will deepen cooperation in maritime safety and security, marine pollution control, search and rescue and maritime law enforcement.
They will also collaborate in intelligence and information sharing, hydrography, training and professional capacity development.
The Navy said the areas of cooperation would enhance maritime domain awareness and strengthen coordinated responses to incidents at sea.
It added that the partnership would support the safety of ships, crew, cargo, passengers and navigation within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The renewed MoU also provides for improved institutional mechanisms for timely intelligence and information exchange and utilisation of relevant facilities and capabilities.
The agreement will be subjected to regular institutional review to assess implementation, address emerging challenges and refine joint priorities.
The Navy said both organisations would also jointly convene an annual Maritime Safety and Security Conference to assess progress and strengthen cooperation.
The Navy said securing Nigeria’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone remained fundamental to protecting lives and property.
It added that the objective was also critical to safeguarding legitimate maritime activities, national security and sustainable development of the Blue Economy.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to working with NIMASA, sister Services and other security agencies to protect Nigeria’s maritime interests.
It said the collaboration would contribute to a safer, more secure and prosperous maritime environment for Nigeria and the wider Gulf of Guinea.