The sky has been looking brighter by the day for the Nigerian maritime industry since the arrival of Dr. Dayo Mobereola as the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) just over a year ago. His tenure has brought transformative changes, strategic reforms and innovative partnerships to NIMASA which are rubbing off positively on the maritime sector.
NIMASA is the regulatory authority for Nigeria’s maritime industry, established by the NIMASA Act of 2007. Its key responsibilities include ensuring maritime safety, protecting the marine environment from pollution, enforcing compliance with maritime laws, promoting local shipping, and supporting the training of maritime professionals, amongst other responsibilities.
Those who know the NIMASA boss’ antecedents would not be surprised at the new lease of life he is breathing into the agency and the maritime sector. He came to this position armed with a clear focus anchored on professional expertise and experience. When he assumed duties in March 2024, Dr. Mobereola said he would build a purpose-driven organization by prioritizing effective communication at all levels to enhance innovation, collaboration and synergy.
In his maiden address to management and staff, the DG made it clear that the agency under his leadership would prioritize safety, security, efficiency, environmental sustainability amongst others.
“We must strive to foster innovation and excellence in everything we do. The maritime industry is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements, changing market dynamics, and evolving regulatory frameworks. As leaders in the sector, we must embrace innovation, adapt change, and continuously seek ways to enhance the efficiency, competitiveness, and resilience of our maritime operations.”
In just over 12 months, Mobereola has implemented decisive actions, transforming NIMASA’s trajectory and aligning its focus with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to make the maritime sector one of the core drivers of the nation’s economy. His silent, yet effective, leadership style has yielded several notable achievements. He has successfully promoted Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to drive maritime infrastructural development.
The NIMASA DG has consistently emphasized the importance of leveraging private sector investment to build a more resilient and competitive maritime industry. Under his administration, NIMASA has enhanced its cabotage enforcement, ensuring Nigerian-owned vessels benefit from coastal trade opportunities. His administration has also intensified monitoring efforts to ensure compliance with local content laws, thereby demonstrating a commitment to repositioning NIMASA as a key driver of Nigeria’s maritime economy.
NIMASA has strengthened collaborations with security agencies to curb illicit activities in Nigerian waters. A landmark initiative in this regard is the agency’s partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to combat drug trafficking. This collaboration has enhanced surveillance and intelligence-sharing mechanisms, significantly improved maritime security and ensured safer, more regulated waterways for legitimate trade and investment.
Mobereola has significantly elevated NIMASA’s international profile among maritime nations. Through the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, he facilitated Tinubu’s signing of six International Maritime Organization (IMO) instruments of accession. This milestone has updated Nigeria’s record and rating with the global shipping body, aligning the country’s maritime governance with international standards.
Mobereola’s performance at NIMASA and impact on the maritime sector within one year did not go unnoticed by industry watchers. The agency received the SERVICOM Award for excellent service delivery for 2024 in recognition of its commitment to enhancing service standards, improving transparency, and ensuring efficiency in its operations.
The SERVICOM Award, typically given to government agencies that demonstrate outstanding public service, acknowledged NIMASA’s strides in providing quality services to the maritime industry, including the facilitation of maritime safety, regulation, and the promotion of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Dr. Mobereola holds a Ph.D. and an M.Sc. in Transport Economics from the University of Wales, United Kingdom. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport, England, and a fellow of the same institute in Nigeria. He was the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) from 2003 to 2015 and the Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos State from 2015 to 2016.
The selection of Dr. Mobereola by the Top10 magazine as one of the regulatory agency leaders in Nigeria is in recognition of his outstanding achievements as the Director General of NIMASA in the efficient delivery on its statutory mandate of regulatory initiatives and oversight, revenue generation and general contribution to the national economy.
