IMO Chief Hails Nigeria’s Maritime Security Success, Endorses Blue Economy Drive
Nigeria’s rising profile as a maritime powerhouse received fresh global recognition this week as the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Domínguez, lauded the country’s remarkable gains in maritime security and the development of its blue economy.
During a courtesy visit to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, in Abuja, Domínguez described Nigeria’s record in curbing piracy and implementing the Deep Blue Project as “a model of regional cooperation and leadership in the Gulf of Guinea.”
Zero Piracy: Nigeria’s Defining Security Milestone
For more than three years, Nigeria has maintained zero piracy incidents — an achievement that once seemed out of reach for a region once tagged as the world’s most dangerous maritime corridor.
Domínguez credited this success to the synergy between the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and other security agencies, which have together created a more secure, coordinated maritime environment.
“The collaboration between Nigeria’s maritime institutions and their regional counterparts has delivered tangible results,” Domínguez said, commending Nigeria’s leadership in West and Central Africa’s maritime governance.
This recognition cements Nigeria’s status as a security stabiliser in the Gulf of Guinea, restoring international confidence and positioning the nation as a safer destination for global trade.
Deep Blue Project: A Turning Point for Regional Maritime Security
At the core of Nigeria’s success story is the Deep Blue Project — a multi-agency maritime security architecture integrating air, land, and sea assets. The initiative has drastically reduced sea crimes such as piracy, illegal fishing, and smuggling, while boosting investor confidence in maritime trade.
Beyond safeguarding territorial waters, the project has fostered a new culture of transparency, data-sharing, and regional collaboration, inspiring similar frameworks across West and Central Africa.
The IMO chief reaffirmed the organisation’s support for the Deep Blue Project, pledging technical assistance, capacity-building, and policy collaboration to help sustain its achievements.
Expanding the Blue Economy: From Security to Sustainability
While applauding Nigeria’s security success, Domínguez urged sustained investment in maritime infrastructure, human capital, and energy transition technologies to fully unlock the country’s blue economy potential.
He commended Nigeria’s Blue Economy Policy as a forward-looking framework for harnessing ocean resources responsibly — from fisheries and shipping to coastal tourism, renewable energy, and marine biotechnology.
“The Blue Economy can be a major driver of job creation, innovation, and environmental resilience,” he noted, adding that the IMO is committed to supporting Nigeria’s transition towards greener, more efficient maritime operations.
Domínguez revealed that the IMO and the European Union are in discussions on a new maritime governance project to enhance port operations and security, alongside two additional regional initiatives in Southern and Western Africa with measurable performance indicators.
Capacity Building: Investing in People and Technology
During his visit to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, the IMO chief praised the institution’s simulator-based training and called for stronger collaboration between maritime educators, regulators, and industry players.
He urged cadets to embrace emerging opportunities in renewable energy, green shipping, digital navigation, and maritime technology, which represent the next frontier of the global shipping industry.
In his remarks, NIMASA’s Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, outlined reforms in seafarer welfare, maritime safety, and regulatory compliance, while Dr. Kevin Okonna, Acting Rector of the Academy, highlighted the academy’s modernization and global partnerships for cadet exchange programmes.
At the same event, Mr. Wang Qiang, Managing Director of Lekki Free Trade Zone, showcased how the Lekki Deep Sea Port is creating jobs, attracting foreign investment, and improving cargo handling capacity — a key node in Nigeria’s logistics transformation.
Nigeria’s Leadership Role in the Gulf of Guinea
Domínguez also announced that the IMO will host a Regional Conference on the Safe Seas Project in Ghana in January 2026, where Nigeria is expected to play a leading role in shaping future maritime cooperation and sustainability frameworks.
He reaffirmed that Nigeria’s maritime progress is not just a national success, but a continental benchmark:
“Nigeria’s achievements in maritime security are a model of excellence for Africa and beyond. The task now is to sustain these gains through innovation, coordination, and continued political commitment.”
BRANDECONOMY TAKEAWAY
Nigeria’s journey from being a piracy hotspot to a beacon of maritime security is a powerful case study in strategic leadership, inter-agency collaboration, and policy continuity.
Under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the nation is not just protecting its waters — it is unlocking a multi-billion-dollar frontier that merges security, sustainability, and economic diversification.
The challenge ahead lies in deepening capacity, accelerating port digitalisation, and expanding green maritime infrastructure — ensuring that Nigeria’s blue economy becomes a core pillar of national prosperity.
