By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) have pledged to strengthen institutional collaboration aimed at enhancing maritime safety, security and marine casualty investigations in the country.
The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the NSIB, Captain Alex Sabundu Badeh Jnr., to the headquarters of NIMASA in Lagos, where he was received by the agency’s Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola.
Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; (right) making a presentation to the Director General, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Captain Alex Sabundu Badeh Jnr.; during a courtesy visit by the NSIB DG/CEO to the headquarters of NIMASA in Lagos.
Speaking at the meeting, Mobereola underscored the strategic importance of the NSIB in advancing transportation safety, stressing that stronger collaboration between both agencies is critical to safeguarding lives, vessels and the marine environment.
“NIMASA understands the critical role of the NSIB in promoting transportation safety. Strengthening safety and security within our maritime domain requires commitment, collaboration and practical frameworks that deliver sustainable results,” he said.
According to him, both organisations share the responsibility of building a maritime sector that operates in line with global best practices while contributing to national development through stronger institutions and effective inter-agency cooperation.
Director General, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Captain Alex Sabundu Badeh Jnr.; (left) making a presentation to Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola during a courtesy visit by the NSIB DG/CEO to the headquarters of NIMASA in Lagos.
Mobereola reaffirmed NIMASA’s readiness to work closely with the NSIB in developing a partnership that would bolster Nigeria’s maritime safety architecture and deliver long-term benefits to the industry.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the vision of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, whose emphasis on collaboration continues to support the implementation of the Federal Government’s marine and blue economy agenda.
Earlier, NSIB Director General, Captain Alex Sabundu Badeh Jnr., described cooperation between the two agencies as essential for improving transportation safety and preventing future marine accidents.
While noting that both institutions have different statutory responsibilities, Badeh said they are united by the common goal of protecting lives, property and the marine environment through effective safety systems.
“Our mandates are different, but our destination is the same—a safer and more resilient maritime sector for Nigeria. Safety is most effective when institutions work together, sharing information, expertise and best practices,” he stated.
He added that enhanced collaboration would improve marine casualty investigations, strengthen preventive measures and ensure that lessons from previous incidents are translated into safer operations across the maritime industry.
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Badeh identified marine casualty notification, emergency response coordination, evidence preservation, information sharing, technical support, capacity building and the implementation of safety recommendations as key areas for collaboration.
Executive Director Operations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi; Director General, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Captain Alex Sabundu Badeh Jnr.; Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Mr. Jibril Abba; and Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NIMASA; Mr. Chudi Offodile; during a courtesy visit by the NSIB DG/CEO to the headquarters of NIMASA in Lagos.
According to him, a formal partnership between the agencies would also strengthen Nigeria’s compliance with international maritime standards and obligations.
To fast-track the partnership, both agencies agreed to immediately establish technical committees to develop the framework for a Memorandum of Understanding and draft the terms of reference that will guide cooperation in information sharing, marine casualty investigations, capacity development and the implementation of safety recommendations.
The proposed collaboration is expected to provide a structured framework for institutional cooperation, reinforce Nigeria’s adherence to international maritime obligations and strengthen the country’s maritime safety regime.
NIMASA said strategic partnerships remain central to its operations as it continues to work with local and international stakeholders to improve maritime safety and security, enhance regulatory efficiency and support the Federal Government’s drive to build a globally competitive and sustainable blue economy.
