The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, alongside a maritime research group operating under the Sea Empowerment Research Centre, has urged stakeholders to use 2026 to build on and consolidate the numerous reforms achieved in the maritime industry in 2025.
NIMASA, in a document signed by its Head of Public Relations, Osagie Edward, and obtained by The PUNCH over the weekend, explained that with sustained reforms, robust stakeholder collaboration and proactive global engagement, the agency enters 2026 well positioned to consolidate gains and further advance Nigeria’s standing as a leading maritime nation.
Osagie explained that NIMASA’s achievements in 2025 under the leadership of its current Director-General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, reflect a year of renewed credibility, strengthened partnerships and measurable progress for Nigeria’s maritime sector.
“The agency’s alignment with the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda and its growing international recognition position it strongly for even greater impact in the years ahead. With sustained reforms, robust stakeholder collaboration and proactive global engagement, NIMASA enters 2026 well positioned to consolidate gains and further advance Nigeria’s standing as a leading maritime nation,” he said.
Osagie explained that in a New Year message to stakeholders, the Director-General of NIMASA expressed sincere appreciation for the cooperation, partnership and steadfast support received throughout the past year.
He noted that stakeholders’ contributions were instrumental to the progress recorded across Nigeria’s maritime sector and expressed optimism for even stronger collaboration in the year ahead.
According to him, 2025 was a momentous year for Nigeria’s maritime industry, marked by significant achievements and renewed international confidence.
“As we look forward to 2026, it is our firm resolve to consolidate on these gains and deliver even greater outcomes for the sector and the nation at large,” he said.
Meanwhile, SEREC, in a statement by its Head of Research, Mr Eugene Nweke, obtained by our correspondent last week, said it is projecting that 2026 will be decisive, contingent on “consolidation of port automation and the National Single Window, forex stability for trade predictability, reduction in port costs and arbitrary charges, functional intermodal transport integration, clear operationalisation of port economic regulation, sustained maritime security gains, continued support for export growth, which recorded double-digit percentage increases in non-oil segments in 2025.”
Nweke added that the Nigerian maritime industry in 2025 laid important institutional and policy foundations, but competitiveness, predictability and cost efficiency must define the next phase.
“The year 2026 offers a critical opportunity to convert policy intent into measurable performance outcomes,” he stated.
He explained that SEREC remains committed to objective analysis, constructive engagement and evidence-based advocacy in support of a globally competitive Nigerian maritime industry.
