President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has officially signed six key International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions, marking a significant step toward enhancing Nigeria’s maritime governance. This move aligns Nigeria’s maritime practices with international standards, aiming to improve maritime safety, security, and environmental protection.

The six instruments signed include the Protocol of 2005 to the 1988 Convention on the Safety of Fixed Platforms on the Continental Shelf, the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watch-keeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (1995), and the Protocol on Intervention in cases of Pollution by Substances other than Oil (1973). Additional conventions include amendments to the Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC 1996), the Athens Convention on the Carriage of Passengers and Their Luggage by Sea (2002), and the Hong Kong Convention for Environmentally Sound Ship Recycling (2009).

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) formally presented these instruments to the Honorable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Dayo Mobereola. He praised the minister’s role in facilitating the signing, noting that these conventions had been pending for 6 to 8 years.

“This is a landmark achievement for Nigeria. With these instruments signed, the IMO will soon update our records, reinforcing our position on the global maritime stage,” stated the Director-General of NIMASA.

Dr. Mobereola affirmed the administration’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s maritime sector, aligning it with global best practices. The deposit of these signed instruments will be managed by the Ministry and NIMASA at the IMO headquarters, ensuring Nigeria’s official recognition under the conventions.

By adopting these international frameworks, President Tinubu’s administration reaffirms Nigeria’s dedication to securing its place among the leading maritime nations and contributing actively to global maritime governance.