The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the World Maritime University, (WMU) Malmo, Sweden. The move is aimed at enhancing capacity development and to grow the Nigerian maritime sector.
Speaking shortly after the virtual signing of the MoU, the Director General of the Agency, Dr. Bashir Jamoh noted that there is no substitute to education. “The Collaboration with the World Maritime University by NIMASA is to advance maritime interest while addressing the changing needs of the maritime industry based on sustainable capacity development in the areas of education, training and capacity building which play a major role in developing shipping in any nation”, he stated.
Dr. Jamoh used the opportunity to disclose that the Agency has advanced in setting up a Regional Maritime Safety and Security Research Center to enhance research works. The center is to take care of capacity development in 25 African countries.
“Graduates from the WMU who are employed by the Agency will serve as Researchers and Resource Persons, sharing knowledge and hopefully develop a research based sustainable framework to provide solution to issues of insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea.
The NIMASA Regional Maritime Safety and Security Research Center will be a center of excellence in research and we will collaborate and cooperate with other countries”, he revealed.
On her part, the President of the WMU, Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia- Henry acknoeledged that NIMASA is playing a leading role in developing capacity for the maritime industry in the Gulf of Guinea region. While commending Nigerian students who have passed through the University, she welcomed the agreement and added that NIMASA is one of the first supporters of WMU. Accordingly, she stated that the initiative also supports the WMU’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Nigeria leads, others follow. WMU is delighted to be associated with NIMASA and its work which extends beyond national boundaries, and has a significant effect on the whole region.
We are also pleased to have such a successful and warm relationship with NIMASA and its staff – it is a perfect example of international cooperation for sustainable growth,” she affirmed.
She was optimistic of the “fruitful outcome of our collaborative efforts as articulated in the
Memorandum and based on the principles of equity, reciprocity and mutual benefit.”
The agreement provides for maritime education, training, research and capacity building for officers of NIMASA with at least ten officers funded annually by the Agency to study at WMU in the MSc in Maritime Affairs.
Under the agreement, NIMASA will sponsor at least one officer per year to study in the WMU/IMLI MPhil programm in International Maritime Law and Ocean Policy. The agreement also provides for WMU to develop and organize short-term, specialized Executive Professional Development Courses (EPDCs) for NIMASA officers.
