Visiting IMO Chief Endorse Nigeria’s Maritime Security Structures

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

In a powerful affirmation of Nigeria’s rising stature in global maritime affairs, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Domínguez, has declared the country’s maritime security and rescue systems as world-class, reportedly noting that it fully aligned with IMO’s global frameworks.

Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Media Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, in a release stated that during his three-day working visit to Nigeria, Domínguez toured key maritime installations in Lagos, including the Nigerian Navy’s hydrographic research vessel, NNS Lana, and two critical facilities operated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)—the C4i Centre and the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (RMRCC).

What he saw left no doubt that Nigeria is not just participating in global maritime security but that it is leading, the statement noted. At Apapa, Domínguez reportedly boarded the NNS Lana, a state-of-the-art hydrographic vessel commissioned in 2021.

Designed for oceanographic and charting surveys, the ship enhances navigational safety and supports oil and gas exploration. The IMO chief praised the Navy’s investment in such advanced infrastructure, calling it “a cornerstone for maritime safety and international trade.”

Domínguez also toured the C4i Centre, which authorities call a digital fortress against piracy. The IMO chief scribe’s visit to NIMASA’s C4i Centre showcased Nigeria’s technological edge in maritime surveillance, the ministry said. As the nerve center of the Deep Blue Project, the facility integrates command, control, communication, computer, and intelligence systems to combat piracy and coordinate rapid responses; the statement added.

The IMO chief also reportedly noted that the Centre’s success in reducing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea is a model for other nations. At the RMRCC, Domínguez witnessed Nigeria’s commitment to search and rescue excellence.

The Centre’s coordination of emergency responses across Nigeria’s maritime domain has saved countless lives and assets, he was informed. Apparently impressed, he was quoted as saying: “This level of preparedness and innovation reflects the IMO’s mission of safe, secure, and sustainable shipping.”

The tour also included a visit to the Institute of Maritime Studies at the University of Lagos, where Domínguez interacted with students and commended Nigeria’s investment in maritime manpower development. Minister Adegboyega Oyetola emphasized the sector’s potential to drive economic transformation and youth empowerment.

A happy Domínguez said: “Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure and rescue systems are not just impressive—they are exemplary. They align seamlessly with IMO’s global standards and reflect a commitment to safety, sustainability, and innovation.”

As Domínguez’s visit concludes, it leaves behind a resounding message: Nigeria is setting the pace in maritime security, rescue coordination, and capacity building. With global recognition now firmly in hand, the nation undoubtedly is poised to anchor its place as a leading maritime power.