By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reaffirmed its commitment to human capacity development as a critical pillar for building a globally competitive maritime industry, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organisation (ITC-ILO) in Turin, Italy.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said investment in human capital remains central to the Agency’s vision of developing a robust maritime sector capable of responding effectively to emerging global industry demands.
L-R: Special Assistant to Executive Director Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Dr. Zainab Kyari; Regional Advisor/Technical Expert on Maritime Labour Conventions, Dr Amos Hosea Kuje; Director, Legal Services NIMASA, Mr. Heaky Dimowo; Head of Training, ITCILO Giuseppe Zefola, Executive Director Finance and Administration, NIMASA, Mr Chudi Offodile; Director, and Head of ITCILO Christopher Perrin; Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services Jibril Abba; Director of Administration and Human Resource, NIMASA; Mrs. Moji A. Jimoh; during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO), Turin, Italy on capacity development and Maritime Labour Curriculum development.
Represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Chudi Offodile, Mobereola explained that the partnership is designed to enhance NIMASA’s institutional capacity through targeted technical assistance, training programmes, and capacity-building initiatives for the Agency’s staff and key stakeholders within Nigeria’s maritime industry.
He noted that the collaboration aligns with NIMASA’s strategic objective of implementing structured capacity development programmes for maritime professionals.
“This partnership responds directly to that objective and further reinforces the Agency’s commitment to structured and targeted capacity development, while leveraging the ITC-ILO’s expertise and global pedigree to strengthen the training of maritime labour inspectors, policymakers and trainers in the interpretation and implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended,” he said.
Highlighting the significance of the agreement, Mobereola stated that the Agency remains committed to ensuring that the knowledge, systems and partnerships developed through the engagement translate into measurable improvements in maritime labour administration.
According to him, the initiative will support the development of a maritime sector that is globally respected, professionally driven, safe and firmly anchored on the principles of decent work.
Also speaking, the Director of the ITC-ILO, Mr. Christopher Perrin, expressed appreciation for the partnership and pledged the Centre’s support towards Nigeria’s efforts to achieve sustainable human capacity development.
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Perrin assured that the institution would deploy its faculty and resources to assist in strengthening maritime training and institutional development in the country.
The MoU is the culmination of a series of strategic engagements between the two organisations.
The Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services at NIMASA, Mr. Jibril Abba, and the Head of Training at ITC-ILO, Giuseppe Zefola, served as focal persons during the discussions, while the Regional Adviser and Technical Expert at the ILO, Dr. Amos Kuje, provided technical guidance throughout the process.
Industry stakeholders have described the agreement as a significant step towards enhancing the capacity of Nigeria’s maritime workforce and aligning the country’s maritime labour administration with international best practices.
