In a recent meeting between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, the Director General of NIMASA, emphasized the pivotal role academia plays in advancing Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
During the courtesy visit led by UNILAG’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, Dr. Jamoh expressed NIMASA’s commitment to developing the Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS) at UNILAG.
He urged UNILAG’s management to devise a five-year action plan, envisioning the IMS as a research epicenter, driving the transformation of the Blue Economy into a leading contributor to the nation’s economy.
Dr. Jamoh highlighted Nigeria’s vast maritime potential and urged for international collaboration, envisioning the IMS attracting students from across Africa to position Nigeria as a hub for maritime education.
He also called for harmonizing the Memoranda of Understanding between NIMASA and sixteen universities in Nigeria, providing guidance for the UNILAG IMS.
In response, Prof. Ogunsola assured NIMASA of UNILAG’s commitment to elevating maritime education standards in Nigeria.
She emphasized the importance of completing the UNILAG-IMS building project and expressed willingness to collaborate with local and international partners.
Prof. Ogunsola emphasized the university’s dedication to developing capacities, driving research, ensuring certification, fostering industry engagement, and facilitating global opportunities for students.
The UNILAG-NIMASA IMS building is part of NIMASA’s strategic initiative, with six projects distributed across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, aiming to meet the contemporary manpower requirements of the maritime industry through comprehensive theoretical and practical training.