The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the World Maritime University (WMU), Malmo, Sweden, has renewed its memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance capacity development and to grow the Nigerian maritime sector.
Speaking during the ceremony in Lagos, the NIMASA director-general, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, stressed there is no substitute for education.
“The collaboration between the World Maritime University and NIMASA is to advance maritime interest while addressing the changing needs of the maritime industry based on sustainable capacity development; as education, training and capacity-building plays a major role in developing shipping in any nation,” he said.
Jamoh revealed that the agency is at an advanced stage in setting up a Regional Maritime Safety and Security Research Center to enhance research works, adding that the centre is to take care of capacity development in 25 African countries.
“Graduates from the WMU in the employ of the agency will serve as researchers and resource persons, sharing knowledge and develop a research-based sustainable framework to provide a solution to issues of insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea.
The NIMASA Regional Maritime Safety and Security Research Center will be a centre of excellence in research and we will collaborate and cooperate with other countries,” he added.
Earlier, the WMU president, Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, noted that NIMASA is playing a leading role in developing capacity for the maritime industry in the Gulf of Guinea. She commended Nigerian students who have passed through the university, welcomed the agreement and added that NIMASA is one of the first supporters of WMU. Accordingly, she stated that the initiative also supports the WMU’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Nigeria leads, others follow. WMU is delighted to be associated with NIMASA and its work which extends beyond national boundaries and has a significant effect on the region. We are also pleased to have such a successful and warm relationship with NIMASA and its staff – it is a perfect example of international cooperation for sustainable growth. I look forward to the fruitful outcome of our collaborative efforts as articulated in the memorandum, based on the principles of equity, reciprocity and mutual benefit,” he said.
The agreement provides for maritime education, training, research and capacity building for officers of NIMASA with at least 10 officers funded annually by the agency to study at WMU, Malmo, Sweden, for their master degree in maritime affairs. In addition, as a part of the agreement, NIMASA will sponsor at least one officer per year to study in the WMU/IMLI MPhil programme in international maritime law and ocean policy. The agreement also provides for WMU to develop and organise short-term, specialised executive professional development courses (EPDCs) for NIMASA officers.
