Nigeria’s maritime administration has entered a new phase of institutional strengthening following the appointment of Mrs. Adenike Iyelolu as the new Registrar of Ships at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
The approval, granted by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, reflects a strategic move to reinforce the administration of the Nigerian Ship Registry, which is one of Africa’s largest and a critical asset for the nation’s blue economy ambitions.
In a statement issued by Edward Osagie, Assistant Director and Head of Public Relations at NIMASA, the appointment—tenured for four years—follows a formal recommendation by the agency’s Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola.
Osagie emphasised that the selection is fully aligned with provisions of the NIMASA Act of 2007, which mandates that the Registrar of Ships operates under the direct supervision of the Director-General to ensure effective oversight, compliance, and administration of the registry.
A Seasoned Maritime Governance Professional
A Deputy Director at NIMASA, Adenike Iyelolu brings over 25 years of post-call legal and maritime sector experience, spanning:
- Maritime law and ship registry administration
- Arbitration and dispute resolution
- Public procurement and contract management
- Corporate governance
- Institutional leadership and regulatory compliance
Her appointment follows the retirement of Tajudeen Giwa, who served with distinction and contributed significantly to the modernisation of the Ship Registry.
Why This Appointment Matters
The Nigerian Ship Registry—central to Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness—has been the focus of recent reforms targeted at improving operational efficiency, attracting more indigenous tonnage, and stimulating investment within the Marine and Blue Economy ecosystem.
With Iyelolu’s expertise in maritime governance and regulatory systems, industry stakeholders expect accelerated progress in:
- Strengthening the reliability of the national ship registry
- Enhancing investor confidence in Nigerian-flagged vessels
- Improving compliance with international maritime conventions
- Driving reforms that support Nigeria’s maritime economic expansion
BRANDECONOMY Insight
Iyelolu’s appointment comes at a pivotal time. As Nigeria positions itself to capture greater value from the blue economy—estimated globally at over $1.5 trillion annually—a credible, efficient, and transparent ship registry is indispensable.
Her blend of legal rigour, governance proficiency, and maritime experience makes this a reform-aligned appointment that could define the next era of NIMASA’s institutional evolution.
If effectively executed, this development could help Nigeria regain its competitive edge in vessel registration, reduce capital flight linked to foreign registries, and reinforce the country’s maritime sovereignty.
