NIMASA signs MoU with World Maritime University on capacity building …Says MoU is part of on-going reforms in Nigeria’s maritime industry

 NIMASA signs MoU with World Maritime University on capacity building

 .Says MoU is part of on-going reforms in Nigeria’s maritime industry

By Udeme Clement & Joel ThankGod

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ,NIMASA, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ,MoU, with the World Maritime University, Malmo Sweden, to develop human capacity for the Nigerian maritime sector.

Speaking after signing the MoU, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who led a delegation from Nigeria to Malmo, expressed optimism that the MoU will help the Agency achieve its strategic plans of repositioning the Nigerian maritime sector for greater efficiency.

According to Dr. Peterside, the MoU is in line with the on-going reforms being championed by President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, to enhance greater productivity in Nigeria’s maritime industry.

The NIMASA DG pointed out, “This MoU with WMU is an important element of the strategic reforms and repositioning of NIMASA to be the leading maritime administration in Africa. This is also part of on-going reforms of the maritime sector in Nigeria, which the President and Minister of Transportation are championing. The partnership with WMU is in line with the four-pillar of NIMASA’s medium term growth plan, which addresses capacity building and particularly raising a new generation of forward looking Maritime policy makers as well as regulators.” 

Thus, the MoU covers academic, collaborative and reciprocal activities in the fields of training and research to be provided by WMU, geared towards building capacity to grow the Nigerian maritime industry. Arrangements relating to fellowship funding for the WMU M.Sc programme are included as well as the M.Phil programme offered in cooperation with IMO International Maritime Law Institute ,IMLI, in Malta. Also, the MoU provides a platform for NIMASA officers to take advantage of WMU’s distance learning portfolio and Executive Professional Development Courses to reinforce the capacity of its staff.

Dr. Peterside, who expressed gratitude to the President and management of WMU for their cooperation, gave a firm commitment that NIMASA will actively implement the provisions of the MoU.

Accordingly, the President of WMU, Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry embraced the MoU. She expressed optimism that it will support Nigeria’s economic growth and competitiveness of its maritime industry, adding that it will also supports the WMU’s commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Her words:  “We are delighted with the engagement with NIMASA in the framework of this MoU, which will set the stage for a new partnership with Nigeria.  It will also support Nigeria’s economic growth and competitiveness of its maritime industry as well as advancing the maritime interest of the country. This MoU also supports WMU’s commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goals ,SDGs,  especially Goal-4,  which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education in promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. It also promotes Goal-14 which covers ocean issues, including maritime.”

 However, it may be recalled that the current Executive Management of NIMASA has embraced collaboration as a hallmark, as it is the only way to generate new ideas for economic growth. Also, the DG has stated at various occasions that the Agency is willing to partner with any relevant organisation that can help actualise the vision of a robust maritime sector in Nigeria.