In a visit that underscored unity of purpose and the power of collaboration, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, engaged with Nigeria’s leadership to strengthen maritime partnerships, deepen capacity, and reaffirm the country’s rising influence in global maritime affairs. His engagements, from his courtesy visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to his tours of keymaritime infrastructure and the Institute of Maritime Studies at the University of Lagos, among others; the engagements reflected a renewed momentum in Nigeria’s blue economy journey.
In this article, Oluwafemi Kumuyi highlights the importance of this visit and its implications for the future ofNigeria’s maritime sector.
“No man is an island,” goes the old saying; a reminder that progress, whether personal or institutional, is rarely achieved in isolation. Every thriving system is built on the strength of its partnerships, the alignment of shared visions, and the willingness to work together for common good.
This principle sits at the core of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals, which emphasizes collaboration as the cornerstone of sustainable development. It is in this spirit that the recent visit of the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, to Nigeria took place; a visit that underscores the importance of partnerships in driving the nation’s maritime ambitions and deepening global cooperation within the blue economy space.
Accompanied by the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the IMO Secretary-General was warmly received bythe Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy; His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, whose leadership continues to steer Nigeria’s Blue Economy sector towardsoperational excellence and global relevance. His itinerary was a carefully woven tapestry of engagements; from high-level discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to tours of strategic maritime infrastructure and educational institutions,all reflecting Nigeria’s steady and deliberate march toward a more vibrant and globally competitive maritime sector.
During his courtesy call on the Nigerian President, both leaders explored new frontiers of partnership aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s aspiration to stand among the world’s foremost maritime nations. Their discussions, anchored on shared values of safety, sustainability, and innovation, reflected the strong alignment between Nigeria’s Blue Economy agenda and the IMO’s global mission of ensuring safer seas and cleaner oceans.
Interestingly, Dominguez’s tour of strategic maritime facilities further brought Nigeria’s growing capabilities into the spotlight. A major highlight was his visit to the NNS Lana, the Nigerian Navy’s purpose-built hydrographic and oceanographic research vessel. The NNS Lana, a 60-metre marvel of marine engineering, is equipped with sophisticated multi-beam echo sounders, side-scan sonar, and advanced oceanographic sensors. It serves as a vital tool for hydrographic surveying, seabed mapping, and environmental monitoring, all of which contribute significantly to safer navigation and maritime environmental protection.
At the NIMASA C4i Centre, Mr. Dominguez witnessed a live demonstration of how technology and strategy converge to safeguard Nigeria’s waters. The Centre, an acronym for Command, Control, Communication, Computer, and Intelligence, serves as the heartbeat of Nigeria’s maritime security architecture. Integrated with radar stations, coastal cameras, and satellite feeds, it provides real-time surveillance and enables rapid response to maritime incidents. Operated under the Deep Blue Project, the C4i Centre stands as a testament to Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to combating piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling, and other maritime crimes across the Gulf of Guinea.
To further demonstrate operational readiness, the delegation visited the Ojo Cantonment, where a simulation exercise vividlyshowcased the seamless coordination between NIMASA’s Deep Blue assets and the Nigerian Armed Forces. The synchronized display of air, land, and sea platforms working in unison underscored the effectiveness of Nigeria’s multi-agency approach to maritime security, a model that has contributed significantly to the remarkable reduction of piracy incidents in recent years.
In continuation of his engagements, Mr. Dominguez held an interactive session with Nigerian seafarers, a rare and valuable opportunity for the nation’s maritime workforce to share their experiences, challenges, and aspirations directly with the IMO’s top leadership. The discussions covered key issues such as certification, welfare, training, and global employability of Nigerian seafarers. Mr. Dominguez commended their resilience and professionalism, averring that the heart of global shipping beats through the dedication of seafarers. He encouraged Nigerian seafarers to continually upgrade their skills and competencies in line with evolving international standards, while reiterating the IMO’s commitment to promoting fair treatment, mental well-being, and equal opportunities for all maritime professionals.
Interestingly, during his tour, he visited the Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS) building at the University of Lagos, a project sponsored and delivered by NIMASA. The establishment of the institute marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s long-term vision to strengthen maritime education, bridge capacity gaps, and empower a new generation of professionals equipped to drive the nation’s Blue Economy forward.
Speaking during the visit, Honourable Minister of Marine and economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, described the maritime sector as Nigeria’s next frontier of opportunity in a post-oil era. “With a 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), 853 kilometres of coastline, and over 10,000 kilometres of inland waterways, Nigeria is strategically positioned. It is time to unlock the full potential of the maritime sector, and that starts with building local capacity,” he stated.
The Minister further emphasized that maritime education must be at the heart of Nigeria’s development strategies, given the sector’s vast potential to generate foreign exchange, create jobs, and drive sustainable economic transformation. He also urged Nigerian youths to embrace maritime careers, noting that the government and its partners have laid a solid foundation for a prosperous and globally competitive Blue Economy.
For the IMO Secretary-General, the initiative resonated deeply with the organization’s own goals of inclusivity and sustainability in maritime governance. “The maritime sector is an incredible one with boundless opportunities. Bringing maritime into universities like UNILAG connects students directly with the industry. It’s how we attract and equip the next generation of maritime professionals,” Mr. Dominguez noted. He further encouraged students and faculty members to explore the IMO’s e-Learning platform and programmes of the World Maritime University (WMU), affirming that knowledge remains the strongest anchor of maritime progress.
In his remarks, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, expressed pride in NIMASA’s commitment to supporting educational development. “This Institute is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s maritime future. We are proud to support the University of Lagos in shaping a new generation of professionals who will drive the sector forward,” he stated. The commissioning ceremony not only celebrated infrastructure but symbolized a deeper commitment to learning, innovation, and long-term capacity building. The interaction between Mr. Dominguez and the students of the Institute served as a bridge between aspiration and opportunity, between local vision and global relevance.
Ultimately, the visit of Mr. Arsenio Dominguez reaffirmed what Nigeria has long stood for; that progress in the maritime domain thrives on partnerships built on trust, shared purpose, and sustainable values. From technology to education, and from diplomacy to security, his engagements showcased the multi-dimensional strength of Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem; one that continues to evolve under the visionary coordination of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, and the strategic direction of NIMASA under Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Nigeria is repositioning its maritime narrative, from reactive to proactive, and from potential to performance. Every new investment, whether in education, safety, infrastructure, or environmental stewardship, represents a deliberate stride toward unlocking the nation’s vast maritime potential and reaffirmingits status as Africa’s maritime hub.
As the tide of global collaboration continues to rise, one message resounds clearly; Nigeria is ready to lead, not merely as a beneficiary of international partnerships, but as an equal playerin shaping the future of global maritime governance. Anchoredin partnership, powered by vision, and sailing with purpose, Nigeria is confidently charting a course toward a sustainable blue future.
–Oluwafemi Kumuyi; An Assistant Chief Public Relations Officer with NIMASA, writes from Lagos.
