The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Domínguez, has commended Nigeria’s outstanding achievements in maritime security, particularly its record of zero piracy incidents in over three years and the successful implementation of the Deep Blue Project, which he described as a model for regional cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea.
Domínguez, who arrived in Nigeria on Thursday, made the remarks during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. He noted that Nigeria’s significant investments in maritime safety infrastructure and the effective collaboration among security agencies—especially the Nigerian Navy—have delivered measurable results in combating piracy and other maritime crimes. According to him, these efforts underscore Nigeria’s leadership and commitment to ensuring safer seas, not only within its territorial waters but across West and Central Africa.
The IMO chief also acknowledged Nigeria’s recent submission to the organization detailing its national and regional maritime security initiatives. While commending the progress achieved, he emphasized the importance of sustained support for infrastructure development and the acquisition of modern equipment. Domínguez reaffirmed IMO’s readiness to continue providing technical assistance through awareness campaigns, training programmes, and capacity-building initiatives.
Highlighting ongoing IMO-led projects, he mentioned a regional conference in Ghana scheduled for January under the Safe Seas Project, aimed at consolidating contributions from Nigeria and other partner nations. He further revealed ongoing discussions with the European Union to establish a new maritime governance initiative focused on ports and security, alongside two regional projects in Southern and Western Africa that will be monitored using defined performance indicators.
Beyond maritime security, Domínguez called for greater preparedness among nations to address broader global challenges such as the energy transition, adoption of biofuels, and the development of financing mechanisms to support seafarer training, infrastructure growth, and the adoption of sustainable fuels. He praised Nigeria’s Blue Economy Policy as a forward-thinking initiative for the sustainable utilization of marine resources. He also expressed admiration for the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, particularly its modern training facilities, and encouraged closer collaboration between the academy, the Ministry of Education, and industry stakeholders to inspire young Nigerians to pursue maritime careers.
During his visit, Domínguez was received by Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, who described the IMO chief’s visit as a testament to the strong partnership between Nigeria and the global maritime body. Oyetola noted that collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and other stakeholders had been crucial in eliminating piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to sustaining the current security gains while expanding opportunities in the marine and blue economy sector.
Presentations were delivered by key government officials and stakeholders, including the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, who highlighted ongoing reforms in maritime security, seafarer welfare, and regulatory frameworks aimed at positioning Nigeria as a leading maritime nation. The Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Dr. Kevin Okonna, showcased the academy’s training facilities and emphasized the value of international partnerships for cadet exchanges and simulator-based training. Wang Qiang, the Managing Director of the Lekki Free Trade Zone, also outlined the zone’s role in enhancing cargo handling capacity, creating employment, and attracting long-term foreign investment.
The IMO Secretary-General also engaged with cadets of the Maritime Academy, encouraging them to seize emerging opportunities in renewable energy, green shipping, and maritime technology.
Domínguez concluded by reaffirming the IMO’s commitment to continued collaboration with Nigeria in strengthening maritime safety, enhancing governance structures, and advancing the sustainable development of the blue economy—stating that Nigeria’s achievements already stand as a model of excellence for Africa and beyond.
