The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) says the reduction in war risk insurance premiums is a clear reflection of Nigeria’s sustained progress in maritime security, following four years of zero piracy incidents on the country’s waterways.
The director general of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dayo Mobereola, made this known at the graduation ceremony of 177 personnel trained under the Deep Blue Maritime Operations, C4i capability and demonstration programme held in Lagos.
He said the country’s anti-piracy achievements have significantly improved Nigeria’s global maritime image, reduced security-related shipping costs, and strengthened investor confidence in the sector.
According to him, the success recorded under the Deep Blue Project has been instrumental in Nigeria maintaining a piracy-free record for four years, leading to lower war risk charges on vessels operating within Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea.
Mobereola added that the improved security environment also contributed to Nigeria’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), describing it as a major international recognition of the country’s maritime reforms.
He said the 177 graduands were drawn from various specialised units, including Special Mission Vessel Officers, engineers, Fast Intervention Boat Operators, technicians, boarding teams, and helicopter personnel.
The trainees underwent intensive programmes covering helicopter operations, medical evacuation, vessel boarding and clearing, interceptor boat tactics, communications systems, unmanned aerial systems operations, and combat medical training.
He stressed that the skills acquired were critical to sustaining Nigeria’s maritime security gains and improving rapid response capabilities across the maritime domain.
Mobereola commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his continued support for the sector, noting that sustained collaboration among security agencies had been central to the success of the Deep Blue initiative.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Police Force, Homeland Security International (HLSI), and other stakeholders in maintaining maritime safety.
The NIMASA boss urged the newly graduated operatives to uphold professionalism, discipline, and patriotism as they take on responsibilities aimed at sustaining Nigeria’s improved maritime security record.
Speaking earlier, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, reaffirmed the critical importance of inter-agency collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s maritime security architecture.
Abbas who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, congratulated participants who successfully completed the specialised training, describing their performance during the capability demonstration as “surgically executed,” with high levels of operational efficiency and professionalism.
He noted that the graduation marks not just the completion of a training programme, but a renewed commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and enhancing security in the Gulf of Guinea.
According to him, the Deep Blue Project stands out as a “classic example of inter-agency collaboration,” stressing that modern national security demands sustained cooperation, professionalism, vigilance, and continuous capacity development among all maritime stakeholders.
He commended the director general of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, and the agency’s management for their sustained investment in maritime security capacity building, describing NIMASA as a strategic partner in strengthening maritime governance and operational effectiveness.
