Nigeria and Tanzania have reinforced their commitment to regional maritime cooperation through a strategic partnership focused on regulatory alignment, capacity development, and security enhancement.
During a high-level visit by the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), both sides agreed to deepen collaboration in areas including seafarer certification, flag and port state inspections, digital transformation, and enforcement of cabotage laws.
Leading the Tanzanian delegation was TASAC Vice Chairperson Rukia D. Shante, who commended Nigeria’s maritime reforms and pledged her country’s support for Nigeria’s bid to join Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council—a position that would grant the West African nation greater influence in shaping global maritime policies.
“We believe Nigeria’s presence on the IMO Council is not only necessary but strategic for Africa’s broader maritime interests,” Shante said during the visit. “Tanzania stands ready to back this aspiration.”
NIMASA Director-General Dr. Dayo Mobereola described the partnership as a timely move toward continental maritime integration. He noted that the engagement offers both countries a platform to share proven strategies and technical insight in response to shared challenges.
“This is more than an exchange of knowledge—it’s the start of a long-term partnership built on shared values and mutual learning,” Mobereola stated. “We are learning from each other, and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, fully endorses this collaboration.”
Representing TASAC’s Director-General, Mohammed Salumu, at the meeting was Mrs. Leticia Mutaki, who leads the agency’s department for Maritime Safety, Security, and Environmental Protection. She applauded NIMASA’s advancements in maritime governance, especially its Deep Blue Project—an ambitious initiative aimed at securing Nigerian waters and the wider Gulf of Guinea.
“Nigeria’s investment in maritime security and human capacity development is commendable. We are particularly interested in how these efforts are driving tangible change in flag state oversight, crew welfare, and operational efficiency,” Mutaki said.
Salumu, in his prepared remarks, emphasized the alignment of priorities between the two nations and called for continued knowledge sharing to address evolving maritime threats and economic opportunities across Africa.
The renewed alliance signals a broader continental shift toward greater maritime collaboration, as African nations seek to harmonize regulatory frameworks and assert a stronger presence in international maritime decision-making spaces.