The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has entered into a new partnership with the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organisation (ITC-ILO) in Turin, Italy, to enhance human capacity development in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The agreement was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving technical skills, institutional efficiency, and workforce development across the maritime industry.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said investment in human capital remains central to the agency’s long-term vision of building a globally competitive maritime industry.
Mobereola made the remarks at the signing ceremony, according to a statement released in Lagos by the agency’s Head of Public Relations, Mr Edward Osagie.
He was represented at the event by the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Mr Chudi Offodile.
According to the agreement, the partnership will focus on structured training programmes, technical assistance, and capacity-building initiatives targeting NIMASA staff and stakeholders within Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem.
Mobereola said the collaboration aligns with NIMASA’s strategy to strengthen professional development programmes for maritime workers and regulators.
He added that the initiative would improve institutional capacity and support the effective implementation of international maritime standards.
A key aspect of the MoU is the training of maritime labour inspectors, policymakers, and trainers on the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006, including its amendments.
Mobereola emphasized that the partnership would help Nigeria improve compliance with global maritime labour standards and enhance regulatory effectiveness.
“This partnership reinforces our commitment to structured and targeted capacity development,” he said.
The Director of the ITC-ILO, Mr Christopher Perrin, expressed appreciation for the collaboration, noting that the agreement reflects years of strategic engagement between both institutions.
He assured that the organisation would deploy its expertise, faculty, and resources to support Nigeria’s maritime training and development goals.
The MoU process involved several key contributors, including:
- Mr Jibril Abba, Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services (NIMASA)
- Mr Giuseppe Zefola, Head of Training, ITC-ILO
- Dr Amos Kuje, Regional Adviser/Technical Expert, International Labour Organisation (ILO)
These officials played central roles in facilitating consultations and guiding the agreement to completion.
The partnership is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime workforce, improve regulatory compliance, and enhance global competitiveness in the shipping and labour sectors.
NIMASA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the outcomes of the collaboration translate into measurable improvements across the maritime industry.
