Nigeria has called for stronger international collaboration in the maritime sector to promote knowledge sharing, technological innovation and the development of a safer, more efficient and environmentally sustainable global shipping industry.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, made the call while representing the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, at the 2026 World Maritime Day Parallel Event in Busan, Republic of Korea.
According to Mobereola, the engagements at the global maritime gathering should translate into practical partnerships that deliver measurable benefits to participating countries.
He identified stronger maritime regulation, professional capacity development and improved industry competitiveness as key areas where international cooperation could deliver tangible results.
The NIMASA DG explained that Nigeria intends to leverage the event to strengthen its regulatory performance, expand opportunities for Nigerian maritime professionals and enhance the country’s competitiveness in the global maritime industry, in line with the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.
Mobereola stressed that sustained international cooperation remained essential to addressing emerging challenges in global shipping, promoting innovation and advancing a maritime industry that prioritises safety, operational efficiency and environmental responsibility.
The NIMASA chief led Nigeria’s delegation to the event, which brought together maritime leaders, policymakers and industry stakeholders to discuss developments affecting global shipping and explore opportunities for international cooperation.
In a related engagement, Mobereola met with former Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Kitack Lim, and expressed appreciation for his contributions to the development of the global maritime sector during his tenure at the helm of the United Nations specialised agency.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of sustained dialogue among maritime leaders in advancing shared industry objectives and supporting the development of the global maritime community.
Nigeria’s participation in the event reflects the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen international maritime relations, improve professional capacity and build strategic partnerships to harness the potential of the marine and blue economy for national development.
