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Cabotage Law is fully effective in Nigeria and has created thousands of Jobs-NIMASA DG

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11 years ago

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NIMASA DG, Patrick Akpobolokemi

NIMASA DG, Patrick Akpobolokemi

Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi during the  Question and Answer session of the World Press Conference organized by his Agency in Lagos shed lights on the Agency’s activities in the Nigerian Maritime sector over the last four years, claiming that the Cabotage Act is in full effect in Nigeria and has even created thousands of jobs for Nigerians .  Kunle Kalejaye was there to capture his response for BIZTELLERS.
Excerpts:
 ‎Was it all rosy for NIMASA in 2014?
 
I don’t even like an easy life. When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I pray for is that may the day be very difficult because out of a rough sea you will make a good captain.
When you lay things on a plater of gold, you cannot conquer things you even envisage. If you have children and everything is at their disposal, money food, cloths house, they will not appreciate what you are doing and will not understand what is life. The time they will understand what life is all about is when you are no more there to provide for them.
So the training I have is to take life as a difficult place we have come in and actually life is a difficult place. Even in our own individual life’s you will have challenges even if God speaks to us directly or loves us best, we will have challenges.
So if you come into a maritime administration as NIMASA and you think it is going to be easy it’s not possible. You see people who are stealing oil and you confront them, you think it will be easy? You see people in organised piracy, sea robbery, kidnapping in the water ways and you think it will be easy? You see people who don’t want to conform to vessles regulation, you see the bureaucracy of getting things to work. Nothing can be easy!
But the thing is that you must not give in to fear, you must have a goal and ask God for support. The most important thing is the purity of your intention that is going to save you. If your intentions are not pure God will see you ‎no matter how you want to hide.
So it has been very challenging but we are making unusual gains out of the difficult situations. The maritime administration has stayed for so long, why is that it is just in the past four years that we are talking about domain awareness? Satelite? Radial? Patrol boat?
These things comes with too much trouble but the troubles are also our inspirations and your prayers are also the thing making us to succeed. Your quite time of prayer goes a long way to help us because only one of the problem is enough to give anybody high blood pressure but we thank God none of us has high blood pressure because you are all praying for us and our intentions even though we make mistakes are not inpure.
Kindly tell us the number of jobs created under the CABOTAGE act?  
 
I know that thousand of jobs are created but to pin it to a precise number as we speak is difficult now. However, after now we can speak with the CABOTAGE unit to give us the number of jobs created under the CABOTAGE regime, there is nothing hidden about it. But I know that we have created thousand of jobs.
These are not things that we have to go to the street to be telling people. When oil companies now do advert, they will mention that ‘Adherence to the CABOTAGE Act’ is mandatory.
Why the delay for a National Carrier?
 
I appreciate the anxiety because if I was in your shoes, that is what I will do to the DG, asking him how many jobs have been created under the CABOTAGE act? Why the delay for a National Carrier?
In the first four years, the efforts put in place have not materialised into practical reality that will enable us have a national carrier but we are setting the foundation for it
We equally know that the areas we are lacking is too much and we are taking them one at a time and it is becoming too difficult.
Right now as we speak a committee on National Carrier has been constituted, a blue print is been worked upon which we want the government to address and we will not allow government at all level to rest until they given us what Nigerians are asking for.
So by the next four years of this regime, a national carrier will come. Therefore I appreciate your anxieties, your feelings about it because it is a constructive way to think.
How many vessels has been attacked under your watch?
 
‎What I know is that in the last one month plus the number of vessels attacks we have stopped in Lagos area alone and the number of pirate in our custody is alarming. None of them succeeded, some of them have been handed over to the navy, and civil defence for persecution. Some of the vessels are in our custody.
If any pirate wants to attack any vessel in Lagos, it will take the grace of God for them to succeed because while they are planning to attack the vessel, we are already aware of it and ready to strike them.
Besides the satellite, we have other mode of operation that we can use to get these people. If you kidnap we will go after you! That is why we are saying that people should not pay ransom for hostages to be released. We have to go after them and crush them. We will all die some day and that is the truth about the matter. It is either we die in the hands of pirate or in the hands of robbers or in our sleep or sickness or without any cause, everybody will die at some point in time.
So the issue of fear to approach pirate or afraid  ‎one kidnappers should not be there. They use to text me but I will reply them that we are coming after them and will crush them.
We must fearlessly approach any person that is causing us problems. For pirate in Lagos area cannot operate because before they go out, we crush them and we are going to sustain that. If I tell you the number of vessels that we have arrested including pirates and areas we have conqured in collaboration with JTF alone, you will be surprise.
Why are wrecks still in Lagos waterway?
 
Government has awarded contract to remove wrecks in all our maritime domain. They have started and by the grace of God, the wrecks are going to be removed. The first phase of the job has been awarded in the Southern areas, in Lagos among others.
Let me tell you something, You will issue marine notice 20 times to tell people to remove their wrecks but nobody will show up but the day you want to remove their wrecks that has been abandoned for fives years suddenly you will see the crew. The next day they have gone to court to get injunction. Am telling you what is happening.
We have so many court cases against us to remove wrecks. We have the mandate to remove these wrecks but if I tell you the number of litigation against us. That is to tell you that we must change our ways.
Somebody’s wrecks that is negative in terms of money will go court and say that it is $10 billion meanwhile the actual cost of the vessel might not be up to $1 million. After using the it for 20 years and abandon it he is coming to ask for $10 billion ‎compensation. That is the true situation.
Help to educate our people because wrecks can cause navigation problem, criminals hide there and that is why some don’t want us to remove it because criminals are helping them do their biding.
How many Nigerians have benefited from Seafarers program?
Over 2,500 of them. We have two windows , the first window is state and NIMASA partnership. From the MoU we have with the various state, we contribute 40 percent they contribute 60 percent but we contribute far beyond 40 percent because the traveling expenses, medical fee, feeding, accommodation etc of the seafarers are taken care of by NIMASA.
However, some states refused to partner but we created another window that is the one that is addressed as first aid participation and the number is very few. Therefore, the bulk of the over 2,500 seafarers are NIMASA full time training, full time scholarship. We spend billions of naira yearly for this training. 
 
How many arrest and persecution of sea pirate and oil theft have been executed?
I must be honest with you, persecution is a major problem. If I tell you that we have been successful in persecution, am not telling you the truth. To implement the laws of this country is a major problem.
When you take a pirate to court, in the next one hour you see him sending a text that is his back and is going to deal with you‎. Sometimes is it very sad when I think of things like this.
It is not about what we can do because there is separation of powers. What the law say we cannot do, we cannot do!
Because of this issue of persecution, we assembled judges and appealed to them to look into cases of pirates. If someone steals crude oil and is jailed for six months or one year, it will serves as a big discouragement to others not to do the same thing. But after 24 hours you will see the theft calling you that he is back!
It is a major problem for us and it is not what we can fix single handedly rather all of us must come and find a solution.
Our job is to arrest sea pirates, crude oil theft and present them to the court but what happens thereafter, I don’t know the magic.
Why has CABOTAGE not being enforced?
 
If people think we have not being enforcing CABOTAGE, No! That is not the situation. For Nigerians to get the job, we had two meetings with all the oil majors, we came up with some resolutions, we have subcommittees and we told them that Nigerians must get the cargo, Nigerians must get the job.
 So the sub-committees have started their job, we have met with  the oil majors and in January, 2015, reports will be submitted then all parties will jointly agree and we will call the private sector to come and listen to us and make input to the implementation of the CABOTAGE regime.
When NIMASA detains a vessel for none compliance with Cabotage Act, we will give you a detention order and tell you what and what you have done. Some will evade our taxes and the rest of them and then begin to cry foul.
Some will want to link us with politics and the rest but we are not politicians, we are doing our job. If you violate our laws  ‎irrespective of your political affiliation the first thing we will do is to detain your vessel, take you to the court, if you bribe your way out of court, well that is your luck!
We have to do our job and leave posterity to judge if we did our own part of the bargain or not. We are going to go after them, the OPTS is already working with us with the purpose to implement the Cabotage  regime and other necessary business.
Once we are through with all the resolution and the rest of them, we will invite the press and tell them that this is the communique that has been agreed on, this is the timeline for ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’, waver conditions etc.
I have personally written to oil companies to give jobs to Nigerians when they have vessels. No matter tight my schedule is, I have personally gone to inspect some of these vessels and I have written to so many companies saying “this vessel by the estimate or by the assertion of management meets the requirement of the Cabotage law…..and on no condition should this job be given to any foreigner.”
I have written so many of these letters and many Nigerians have gotten jobs but I will not come and announce this kind of thing.
Once you draw my attention that you have these vessels, just give me the information and that oil company will not move if they like take me anywhere.
If I don’t fight them, I can be removed before the time God prescribe for me in this job so the best thing is to prepare to fight for Nigerians. When someone brings in a vessel that Nigerians can do whereas our boys are not working, there is unemployment, there is crime, and will sit down comfortably and allowe these kind of things to happen. No it can’t happen.
So we will go after them one after the other and ask them if they are CABOTAGE compliance? If no, what are the reasons? If it is something that is exceptionally difficult for us to handle at that time, we will now look into the problem.
Since the inception of this agency, there has never been this kind of enforcement of regulation before. The only difficult aspect of the CABOTAGE law that we have not been able to implement is the distribution of CVFF but in terms of employment, the crew and the jobs, I have personally being signing them.
When people write letters that they have vessels, I personally go to inspect them and I tell them on no account should job be given to a foreigners because these  Nigerians ‎have gone to collect heart breaking loans from Nigeria banks and if you don’t give the person job is it not hypertension you want to give to him?
And when the person gets the job, is it not Nigerians that he is going to to employ? Do I have a farm where I will employ all Nigerians? This is the only way to go but it will come with so much bad name. That is the truth but it is you the press that will help us
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Maritime

Anchored in Partnership: IMO Secretary General’s Visit Rekindles Nigeria’s Maritime Ambition

Published

5 months ago

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October 21, 2025

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In a visit that underscored unity of purpose and the power of collaboration, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, engaged with Nigeria’s leadership to strengthen maritime partnerships, deepen capacity, and reaffirm the country’s rising influence in global maritime affairs. His engagements, from his courtesy visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to his tours of key maritime infrastructure and the Institute of Maritime Studies at the University of Lagos, among others; the engagements reflected a renewed momentum in Nigeria’s blue economy journey.

In this article, Oluwafemi Kumuyi highlights the importance of this visit and its implications for the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

“No man is an island,” goes the old saying; a reminder that progress, whether personal or institutional, is rarely achieved in isolation. Every thriving system is built on the strength of its partnerships, the alignment of shared visions, and the willingness to work together for common good. This principle sits at the core of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals, which emphasizes collaboration as the cornerstone of sustainable development. It is in this spirit that the recent visit of the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, to Nigeria took place; a visit that underscores the importance of partnerships in driving the nation’s maritime ambitions and deepening global cooperation within the blue economy space.

Accompanied by the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the IMO Secretary-General was warmly received by the Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy; His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, whose leadership continues to steer Nigeria’s Blue Economy sector towards operational excellence and global relevance. His itinerary was a carefully woven tapestry of engagements; from high-level discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to tours of strategic maritime infrastructure and educational institutions, all reflecting Nigeria’s steady and deliberate march toward a more vibrant and globally competitive maritime sector.

During his courtesy call on the Nigerian President, both leaders explored new frontiers of partnership aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s aspiration to stand among the world’s foremost maritime nations. Their discussions, anchored on shared values of safety, sustainability, and innovation, reflected the strong alignment between Nigeria’s Blue Economy agenda and the IMO’s global mission of ensuring safer seas and cleaner oceans.

Interestingly, Dominguez’s tour of strategic maritime facilities further brought Nigeria’s growing capabilities into the spotlight. A major highlight was his visit to the NNS Lana, the Nigerian Navy’s purpose-built hydrographic and oceanographic research vessel. The NNS Lana, a 60-metre marvel of marine engineering, is equipped with sophisticated multi-beam echo sounders, side-scan sonar, and advanced oceanographic sensors. It serves as a vital tool for hydrographic surveying, seabed mapping, and environmental monitoring, all of which contribute significantly to safer navigation and maritime environmental protection.

At the NIMASA C4i Centre, Mr. Dominguez witnessed a live demonstration of how technology and strategy converge to safeguard Nigeria’s waters. The Centre, an acronym for Command, Control, Communication, Computer, and Intelligence, serves as the heartbeat of Nigeria’s maritime security architecture. Integrated with radar stations, coastal cameras, and satellite feeds, it provides real-time surveillance and enables rapid response to maritime incidents. Operated under the Deep Blue Project, the C4i Centre stands as a testament to Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to combating piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling, and other maritime crimes across the Gulf of Guinea.

To further demonstrate operational readiness, the delegation visited the Ojo Cantonment, where a simulation exercise vividly showcased the seamless coordination between NIMASA’s Deep Blue assets and the Nigerian Armed Forces. The synchronized display of air, land, and sea platforms working in unison underscored the effectiveness of Nigeria’s multi-agency approach to maritime security, a model that has contributed significantly to the remarkable reduction of piracy incidents in recent years.

In continuation of his engagements, Mr. Dominguez held an interactive session with Nigerian seafarers, a rare and valuable opportunity for the nation’s maritime workforce to share their experiences, challenges, and aspirations directly with the IMO’s top leadership. The discussions covered key issues such as certification, welfare, training, and global employability of Nigerian seafarers. Mr. Dominguez commended their resilience and professionalism, averring that the heart of global shipping beats through the dedication of seafarers.

He encouraged Nigerian seafarers to continually upgrade their skills and competencies in line with evolving international standards, while reiterating the IMO’s commitment to promoting fair treatment, mental well-being, and equal opportunities for all maritime professionals.

Interestingly, during his tour, he visited the Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS) building at the University of Lagos, a project sponsored and delivered by NIMASA. The establishment of the institute marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s long-term vision to strengthen maritime education, bridge capacity gaps, and empower a new generation of professionals equipped to drive the nation’s Blue Economy forward.

Speaking during the visit, Honourable Minister of Marine and economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, described the maritime sector as Nigeria’s next frontier of opportunity in a post-oil era. “With a 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), 853 kilometres of coastline, and over 10,000 kilometres of inland waterways, Nigeria is strategically positioned. It is time to unlock the full potential of the maritime sector, and that starts with building local capacity,” he stated.

The Minister further emphasized that maritime education must be at the heart of Nigeria’s development strategies, given the sector’s vast potential to generate foreign exchange, create jobs, and drive sustainable economic transformation. He also urged Nigerian youths to embrace maritime careers, noting that the government and its partners have laid a solid foundation for a prosperous and globally competitive Blue Economy.

For the IMO Secretary-General, the initiative resonated deeply with the organization’s own goals of inclusivity and sustainability in maritime governance. “The maritime sector is an incredible one with boundless opportunities. Bringing maritime into universities like UNILAG connects students directly with the industry. It’s how we attract and equip the next generation of maritime professionals,” Mr. Dominguez noted. He further encouraged students and faculty members to explore the IMO’s e-Learning platform and programmes of the World Maritime University (WMU), affirming that knowledge remains the strongest anchor of maritime progress.

In his remarks, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, expressed pride in NIMASA’s commitment to supporting educational development. “This Institute is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s maritime future. We are proud to support the University of Lagos in shaping a new generation of professionals who will drive the sector forward,” he stated. The commissioning ceremony not only celebrated infrastructure but symbolized a deeper commitment to learning, innovation, and long-term capacity building. The interaction between Mr. Dominguez and the students of the Institute served as a bridge between aspiration and opportunity, between local vision and global relevance.

Ultimately, the visit of Mr. Arsenio Dominguez reaffirmed what Nigeria has long stood for; that progress in the maritime domain thrives on partnerships built on trust, shared purpose, and sustainable values. From technology to education, and from diplomacy to security, his engagements showcased the multi-dimensional strength of Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem; one that continues to evolve under the visionary coordination of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

ALSO READ: SERAP Urges Akpabio, Abbas to Account Missing N18.6bn for NASS Commission Office Complex

Under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, and the strategic direction of NIMASA under Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Nigeria is repositioning its maritime narrative, from reactive to proactive, and from potential to performance. Every new investment, whether in education, safety, infrastructure, or environmental stewardship, represents a deliberate stride toward unlocking the nation’s vast maritime potential and reaffirming its status as Africa’s maritime hub.

As the tide of global collaboration continues to rise, one message resounds clearly; Nigeria is ready to lead, not merely as a beneficiary of international partnerships, but as an equal player in shaping the future of global maritime governance. Anchored in partnership, powered by vision, and sailing with purpose, Nigeria is confidently charting a course toward a sustainable blue future.

Oluwafemi Kumuyi; An Assistant Chief Public Relations Officer with NIMASA, writes from Lagos. 

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Maritime

Gale of Promotions at NIMASA

Published

7 months ago

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August 19, 2025

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These are days of joy for employees of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) with promotions running across levels for many.

This was detailed in a statement in Lagos by Deputy Director/Head, Public Relations, Osagie Edward.

The statement reads, “The Governing Board of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has approved the promotion of nine Deputy Directors to Directors. In addition, the Board approved the promotion of 30 Assistant Directors to Deputy Directors, 35 Chiefs to Assistant Directors, and ratified the promotion of 169 other staff members from one grade level to the next grade level.

ALSO READ: Zenith and Summit: A Cursory Look at Striking Similarities Between Two Banks

“The newly appointed Directors include the Coordinator, Abuja Liaison Office, Mrs. Moji Jimoh; Director Internal Audit, Dr. Odunayo Ani;  Special Adviser to the DG, Mrs. Nneka Obianyor; Director Procurement, Mrs. Biodun Fatade; Dr. Oma Ofodile; Ms. Gloria Anyasodo; Mr. Abdulahi Yelwa; Umar Buba and Mr. Umar Ibrahim Sidi.

“While congratulating the newly promoted officers, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed Management’s commitment to staff welfare and a transparent, merit-based career progression system.

“He charged the beneficiaries to rededicate themselves to excellence in service delivery.

“Our administration is committed to improved staff welfare. This promotion exercise is strictly merit-based, and we expect staff to reciprocate by rededicating themselves to higher productivity. We will continue to prioritize staff welfare, while counting on your commitment to the ideals of the Agency in helping Management actualize its mandate,” Mobereola stated.

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Maritime

Nigeria Embraces Eight Codes Of Maritime Labour Convention Amendments (MLC 2006)

Published

11 months ago

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April 29, 2025

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Nigeria has endorsed the amendments to eight codes of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006.

The amendments include the codes related to the protection of seafarers against discrimination, identification of seafarers as key workers, enhanced access to shore based welfare for seafarers, and the code on shipboard violence, harassment and bullying, accommodation and recreational facilities onboard.

The Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who led Nigeria’s delegation to the 5th ILO special Tripartite Committee meeting in Geneva Switzerland, emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to the welfare, rights, and protection of seafarers.

ALSO READ: SERAP Threatens Zuckerberg, Meta With Lawsuit Over Privacy Rights Breaches, $220m Fine

The Minister, who was represented by the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, commended the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for fostering dialogue on maritime labour standards.

The NIMASA DG reiterated Nigeria’s dedication to ensuring decent working and living conditions for seafarers, noting the recently approved minimum wage in line with ILO standards.

Dr. Mobereola also used the platform to reinforce Nigeria’s bid for election to Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council during the upcoming elections scheduled for November/ December this year. He stated that Nigeria’s inclusion in the Council would strengthen Africa’s representation and voice in shaping international maritime policies that promote fair labour practices, environmental sustainability, and technical cooperation.

The Special Tripartite Committee comprises representatives from countries that have ratified the MLC 2006, and mostly from Maritime Administrations who also attend IMO meetings.

It was gathered that this is the very first time Nigeria is widening the scope of its campaign to engage strategically with relevant international agencies.

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