Oyetola to NIMASA: Accountability non-negotiable as agency signs 2026 performance bond
Maureen Aguta
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reinforced its commitment to transparency, efficiency, and sectoral growth with the formal signing of its 2026 Sectoral Performance Bond, a key accountability framework aimed at driving measurable outcomes across the maritime industry.
The exercise, supervised by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, underscores the Federal Government’s renewed push to entrench performance-based governance in line with national economic priorities.
Director-General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, described the performance bond as a strategic governance tool designed to track deliverables, strengthen institutional discipline, and align the Agency’s operations with the administration’s broader reform agenda.
He noted that ongoing reforms within NIMASA are being propelled by “purposeful leadership and strong ministerial backing,” adding that the Agency remains focused on delivering its statutory mandate in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Highlighting strides in maritime security, Mobereola disclosed that Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents within its territorial waters over the past four years—a milestone he attributed to enhanced surveillance architecture and strengthened inter-agency collaboration.
In a move to improve operational efficiency and global competitiveness, the NIMASA boss revealed that the Agency is nearing completion of the automation of its ship registry processes, which is expected to significantly reduce bureaucratic delays and enhance service delivery.
On the long-anticipated Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), Mobereola confirmed that over 60 applications have been received since the portal went live in January 2026.
He assured stakeholders that the disbursement process would adhere strictly to transparency and accountability standards.
The Agency has also made notable progress on the international front, with Nigeria depositing three conventions with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), while three others are pending approval by the Federal Executive Council—moves seen as reinforcing the country’s commitment to global maritime standards.
Mobereola further pointed to Nigeria’s successful election into Category C of the IMO Council in November 2025 as a diplomatic and strategic win that has restored the country’s voice in global maritime governance and strengthened its leadership footprint within Africa.
In his remarks, Oyetola reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to position the maritime sector as a critical driver of economic diversification, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings.
He stressed that performance bonds are not mere formalities but binding commitments subject to rigorous monitoring.
“Accountability is not optional,” the minister declared, signaling a firm stance on performance enforcement across agencies under his supervision.
