NIMASA, WMU, industry capacity and recognition in global maritime
IN A BID TO ENSURE continuous capacity growth progress and development in the Nigerian maritime sector, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has renewed her memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the World Maritime University (WMU) located in Malmo, Sweden. This is coming at a time when Nigeria is seeking to play a very significant role in the African Continental Free Trade Area. It is apposite to note that the development of the maritime sector in the continent of Africa is very germane to the success of AFCTA.
The agreement covers areas of maritime education training, research capacity building and knowledge growth for various persons in the agency. A minimaking mum of 10 officers are expected to participate and study at the WMU annually and come back with a Master of Science in maritime affairs programme, while at least
one person is expected to study for a Master of Philosophy programme in international maritime law and ocean policy.
In corroborating this move, Bashir Jamoh, the director-general of the agency, noted more importantly, that the MoU will positively encourage growth in the Nigerian maritime sector. He noted that, “there is no substitute to education.” According to him, “the collaboration with the World Maritime University by NIMASA is to advance maritime interests while addressing changing needs of the maritime industry.” He also emphasised that NIMASA was at an advanced stage of setting up a regional maritime safety and security research centre. This will help in maritime related and significant research works as the centre is expected to accommodate the capacity building and development of various African states. The officers who graduate from the World Maritime University are expected to serve as researchers, facilitators, and resource persons for the research centre.
On the hydra-headed issue of insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea, the research centre is also expected to provide an empirical based and sustainable framework so as to improve Nigeria’s drive to end insecurity in its waters.
“The NIMASA regional maritime safety and resource centre will be a centre of excellence in research and will collaborate and cooperate with other countries,” Bashir Jamoh said.
In reciprocation, Cleopatra Doumbia Henry, president, World Maritime University, noted very significantly, that Nigeria and, by extension NIMASA, is taking the much-needed measures in developing capacity for the maritime industry in the Gulf of Guinea region. Quite a number of Nigerian students have passed through the WMU and this has provided the needed impetus for the agreement and there is no better way to enhance maritime research and development in the region than to sustain an MoU like this and ensure more human capacity development in the maritime sector. Collaborations like this will bring in no small measure help to advance Nigeria’s maritime interest and presence, not only within the GoG region, but also give Nigeria the needed voice in world maritime affairs.