The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has taken a decisive step to deepen governance standards with the signing of its 2026 Sectoral Performance Bond, setting the tone for a results driven year anchored on transparency and measurable outcomes.
The ceremony, supervised by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, underscored a renewed push by the federal government to entrench discipline and performance across maritime institutions.
Director General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, described the bond as a strategic governance tool designed to track deliverables, enforce accountability and ensure alignment with national development priorities.
He noted that the agency’s reform agenda is being driven by deliberate leadership and sustained ministerial backing, positioning NIMASA to deliver optimally within the broader economic vision of the current administration.
Mobereola further disclosed that Nigeria has maintained zero piracy incidents in its territorial waters over the past four years, attributing the milestone to improved maritime surveillance and strengthened inter agency cooperation.
He added that efforts to automate the nation’s ship registry are nearing completion, a move expected to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, enhance efficiency and elevate Nigeria’s standing in global maritime commerce.
On the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, the NIMASA boss revealed that over 60 applications have been received since the portal opened in January 2026, assuring stakeholders of a transparent and strictly monitored disbursement process.
The agency, he said, has also strengthened Nigeria’s international maritime obligations by depositing three conventions with the International Maritime Organization, while three others await Federal Executive Council approval.
He pointed out that Nigeria’s successful election into Category C of the IMO Council in November 2025 has restored the country’s voice in global maritime governance and reinforced its leadership role across Africa.
In his remarks, Oyetola stressed that performance bonds are not ceremonial but binding commitments, declaring that accountability remains non negotiable as the government intensifies efforts to leverage the maritime sector for economic diversification, job creation and foreign exchange growth.