By Oluwayanmife Lucas

After 19 years of initial partnership, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Navy have renewed their strategic partnership with the endorsement of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen maritime security, enhance safety and deepen coordinated enforcement across Nigeria’s maritime domain.

The MoU was signed at the Nigerian Navy Headquarters, Abuja, by the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, and the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.

The renewed agreement marks a significant milestone in the longstanding relationship between both institutions and represents the first formal renewal of their partnership since the original MoU was signed in 2007.

The agreement provides a framework for enhanced collaboration in the promotion and maintenance of maritime security and the effective implementation of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and other relevant maritime laws and regulations within NIMASA’s mandate.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Mobereola, commended the commitment of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to strengthening inter-agency collaboration as a key driver of maritime security and the development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy.

He said the renewed MoU would provide a stronger institutional framework for both organisations to discharge their respective statutory mandates while consolidating the gains already recorded in securing Nigeria’s maritime domain.

This he said will enhance achieving the goals of President Bola Tinubu for the Blue Economy.

According to him, the agreement is also designed to address emerging maritime security challenges through improved coordination, information sharing and operational cooperation.

“As we renew this partnership today, I urge our respective teams to ensure that the spirit of this agreement translates into practical and measurable outcomes,” Dr. Mobereola said.

The NIMASA DG also expressed appreciation to the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Nigerian Navy for their continued support and commitment to the renewal of the partnership.

Responding, Vice Admiral Abbas, described the signing as a milestone in the enduring relationship between the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA.

He noted that the renewed MoU contained important additions aimed at strengthening the response to the evolving nature of maritime security challenges. One of the key provisions, he said, is the integration of the Deep Blue Project into the collaborative framework, providing a stronger basis for cooperation between the Nigerian Navy’s Maritime Guard Command and the project.

He also highlighted the introduction of a joint reporting protocol for communication and information sharing during operations, which he said would facilitate timely decision-making and a more coordinated response to maritime incidents.

Vice Admiral Abbas further welcomed provisions for greater institutional engagement, including an annual conference to enhance collaboration, review progress and address emerging challenges.

“Whether we like it or not, the water is where we get whatever we are getting—our revenue, everything and even the trade we engage in, in large percentages, is done through the water. So this institution has to be very strong,” he said.

The renewed MoU is expected to deepen operational cooperation between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy, particularly in maritime security, information sharing, coordinated responses to maritime incidents, enforcement of applicable maritime laws amongst others.

.Invested as Patron

The National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Tochukwu Emmanuel Ezisi, has been honoured with the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) Freight Forwarder of the Year Award.

The industry veteran was also formally invested as a Patron of the association in recognition of his outstanding contributions to freight forwarding and the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

The double honours were conferred during the 2026 MARCON Annual Conference held at Hotel Presidential on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where industry leaders, government officials and key stakeholders gathered to deliberate on the theme: “Special Economic Zones as Catalysts to Sustainable Blue Economy.”

Speaking during the investiture, the Chairman, Conference Planning Committee, Paul Ogbuokiri, said the decision to confer Patronship on Chief Ezisi was in appreciation of his exemplary leadership, unwavering commitment to the growth of the freight forwarding profession and consistent support for initiatives that promote professionalism and sustainable development within the maritime sector.

Ogbuokiri noted that, as National President of NAGAFF and Managing Director of Emmatoks Agencies Limited, Chief Ezisi has distinguished himself through advocacy for trade facilitation, capacity development and reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency across Nigeria’s ports and logistics value chain.

According to Ogbuokiri, the Freight Forwarder of the Year Award recognises individuals whose leadership, innovation and dedication have made significant impacts on the freight forwarding profession and the nation’s maritime economy.

Ezisi was represented at the event by the National Secretary of NAGAFF, Geoffrey Nwosu, reaffirming his commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen freight forwarding practice, improved stakeholder collaboration and contributing to the continued growth and competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

The conference attracted senior government officials, regulators, port managers, industry operators and maritime professionals who explored strategies for leveraging efficient port infrastructure and Special Economic Zones to drive investment, trade, industrialisation and the country’s blue economy aspirations.

The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) has said Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are emerging as critical drivers of the country’s Blue Economy, with investments in oil and gas free zones strengthening energy exports, maritime logistics, industrialisation and long-term economic growth.

The Authority said its regulated free zones have evolved beyond conventional investment destinations into strategic Energy Economic Zones that are enhancing national energy security, expanding export capacity and positioning Nigeria as a preferred investment destination in West Africa.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of OGFZA, Bamanga Usman Jada, stated this while delivering the keynote address titled, “The Strategic Role of OGFZA in Supporting Nigeria’s Blue Economy and Energy Exports,” at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) held in Port Harcourt. The conference was themed, *”Special Economic Zones as Catalysts to Sustainable Blue Economy.”*

Jada, who was represented by the Technical Adviser to the Managing Director on Free Zones Development, Jackson Iniobong, described the Blue Economy as a framework for harnessing Nigeria’s oceans, rivers, ports and coastal resources to drive economic prosperity while safeguarding the environment for future generations.

He said OGFZA’s statutory mandate of regulating and promoting investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas free zones aligns with the Federal Government’s Blue Economy agenda, noting that most of the Authority’s free zones are strategically located along the country’s maritime corridors.

“Over the years, OGFZA has contributed significantly to the development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy through the establishment, regulation and promotion of Special Economic Zones strategically located around our maritime corridors.”

According to him, the free zones have evolved into engines of industrialisation, international trade, marine logistics, offshore support services and export-oriented manufacturing, thereby strengthening Nigeria’s participation in the global maritime economy.

Jada identified the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone in Rivers State as OGFZA’s flagship zone, noting that it hosts one of Nigeria’s busiest seaports and serves as an operational base for numerous multinational companies involved in maritime and oil and gas operations.

He also highlighted the Bestaf Maritime Industrial Oil and Gas Free Zone in Lagos State, which hosts an indigenous lubricant blending facility with an annual production capacity of 240 million litres, with products exported through Nigeria’s waterways.

The OGFZA boss further cited the Dangote Industries Oil and Gas Free Zone in Lekki, home to the 700,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery, the largest refinery in Africa, as a major indigenous investment that has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s energy export profile.

“These developments have expanded the significance of OGFZA-regulated free zones into becoming Energy Economic Zones that are enhancing national energy security, industrialisation, and maritime logistics infrastructure and safety.”

Jada said the Authority also regulates the Secured Bunkering Anchorage, an offshore facility supporting safe maritime operations and energy exports, while its free zones have attracted substantial domestic and foreign investments, generated thousands of jobs and facilitated technology transfer.

He explained that OGFZA’s One-Stop-Shop model has improved collaboration with key maritime agencies by simplifying licensing processes, streamlining Customs procedures and enhancing the ease of doing business for investors.

The regulatory framework, Jada noted, has improved port efficiency, reduced operational bottlenecks and promoted indigenous capacity development in fabrication, engineering, marine support services, vessel maintenance and logistics, with facilities such as the West Atlantic Shipyard contributing significantly to local content development.

Looking ahead, he said the Authority would continue to promote environmentally responsible industrial operations, cleaner technologies and efficient resource utilisation to ensure that Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones become models of sustainability, innovation and resilience.

He reaffirmed OGFZA’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s vision of leveraging the country’s vast maritime assets to diversify the economy, attract quality investments, create employment opportunities and build a prosperous and sustainable future.