NIMASA, China seal maritime pact to boost safety, train seafarers, strengthen security
Maureen Aguta
Nigeria and China have taken a major step towards deepening maritime relations with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening maritime safety, developing seafarer capacity, improving marine environmental protection and enhancing security in their respective maritime domains.
The agreement, signed by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the China Maritime Safety Administration (China MSA) in Shanghai, China, establishes a framework for expanded technical cooperation, institutional collaboration and knowledge-sharing between the two countries.
The MoU covers six critical areas of maritime development, including maritime safety and navigation, marine environmental protection, seafarer training, certification and protection of seafarers’ rights, marine casualty and incident investigation, maritime transportation facilitation, and maritime security.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, NIMASA’s Head of Public Relations, Osagie Edward, disclosed that the agreement was signed at the Shanghai Seafarers Assessment Model Centre.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, NIMASA Director-General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, described the agreement as a historic milestone in Nigeria-China relations, stressing that its significance would ultimately be determined by the practical programmes and measurable benefits it delivers to both countries.
He said the partnership was more than a diplomatic commitment, noting that it provided an opportunity for both maritime administrations to leverage their respective strengths, exchange technical expertise and develop solutions to common challenges confronting the global maritime industry.
According to him, translating the agreement into concrete initiatives would be critical to achieving its objectives and delivering tangible benefits to Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Mobereola also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s longstanding relationship with China, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu attaches considerable importance to bilateral cooperation between both countries, particularly in strategic economic sectors such as maritime.
He explained that the partnership aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the policy direction of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, under the leadership of its Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola.
The NIMASA chief said enhanced cooperation with China would provide opportunities for Nigeria to strengthen its maritime regulatory institutions, improve operational standards and expand the technical capacity required to compete more effectively in the global maritime industry.
On his part, the Director-General of China MSA, Xu Wei, reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening maritime relations with Nigeria, expressing Beijing’s interest in the development of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
Xu acknowledged the progress recorded in Nigeria’s maritime sector and pledged China’s continued support for initiatives that would strengthen cooperation and promote sustainable growth in the maritime industries of both countries.
The agreement is expected to open new channels for technical assistance, professional training, institutional capacity development and the exchange of operational best practices between the two maritime administrations.
Beyond strengthening bilateral relations, the partnership is expected to support improvements in maritime administration, navigational safety, environmental management, maritime security and the welfare and professional development of seafarers.
For Nigeria, the agreement presents an opportunity to tap into China’s extensive maritime experience and technical capabilities to strengthen local institutions, improve regulatory efficiency and develop the human capacity needed to maximise the country’s maritime potential.
The implementation of the MoU is therefore expected to be central to translating the renewed Nigeria-China maritime relationship into sustainable institutional and economic gains.