- Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Bashir Jamoh (left), and Executive Director, Admin & Finance, Chudi Offodile, during the renewal of the MoU between NIMASA and the World Maritime University (WMU)…recently
By Anthony Nwachukwu
Towards enhancing capacity development and growing the nation’s maritime sector, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Maritime University (WMU), Malmo, Sweden.
The agreement provides for maritime education, training, research and capacity building for NIMASA officers, which funds master’s degree programme in maritime affairs for no fewer than 10 of its officers annually in the Malmo-based varsity.
In addition, under 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, while WMU is also to develop and organise short-term, specialised Executive Professional Development Courses (EPDCs) for NIMASA officers.
Speaking after a virtual signing of the agreement, NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, noted that education has no substitute, adding: “The collaboration with the World Maritime University by NIMASA is to advance maritime interest while addressing the changing needs of the industry based on sustainable capacity development.
“Education, training and capacity building play a major role in developing shipping in any nation.”
He disclosed that the agency was at an advanced stage in setting up a regional maritime safety and security research centre to enhance research works and capacity development in 25 African countries.
According to him, “graduates from the WMU who are in the employ of the agency will serve as researchers and resource persons, sharing knowledge and hopefully develop a research-based sustainable framework to provide solution to issues of insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea.
“The NIMASA Regional Maritime Safety and Security Research Centre will be a centre of excellence in research and we will collaborate and cooperate with other countries.”
On her part, WMU President, Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, listed NIMASA among the first supporters of WMU, and is leading in developing capacity for the maritime industry in the Gulf of Guinea region.
She further commended Nigerian students who have passed through the institution, stating that the initiative also supports the WMU’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Nigeria leads, others follow,” she declared. “WMU is delighted to be associated with NIMASA and its work, which extends beyond national boundaries and has a significant effect on the whole 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 and based on the principles of equity, reciprocity and mutual benefit.”
