NIMASA DG Assures International Community of Peaceful Atlantic Region
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity within the Atlantic region. Speaking at the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation Summit, a side session during the 2024 United Nations General Assembly in New York, Mobereola emphasized Nigeria’s efforts toward sustainable exploration of the Atlantic for the benefit of all regional countries. The session was chaired by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Mobereola highlighted Nigeria’s active role in shaping global policies for a secure and prosperous Atlantic region. “Nigeria’s participation in the Atlantic Cooperation has had a transformative effect on how our government contributes to acceptable global policies and agendas,” he said. He also mentioned Nigeria’s recent organization of an international workshop on deep seabed activities, reaffirming the country’s commitment to establishing a legal and regulatory framework for deep-sea mining, aimed at driving sustainable economic growth.
In his presentation, Mobereola underscored Nigeria’s collaboration with key partners, including the U.S., the European Union, ECOWAS, and the United Nations, to protect Nigeria’s coastline and ensure the safe passage of goods and people. These efforts, he noted, are integral to promoting regional economic integration.
The NIMASA DG further engaged participants on Nigeria’s unique perspectives on funding, governance, and technological advancements within the maritime sector, assuring that the country remains focused on developing a vibrant marine and Blue Economy under the current administration.
Chairing the session, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed the importance of the Atlantic Ocean to all nations and highlighted the collective responsibility of countries bordering the ocean. “Together, we’re fostering greater connections and coordination between our governments, civil societies, private sectors, and scientific communities,” Blinken said, emphasizing collaboration to tackle common threats and harness new technologies.
Since its inception, the Atlantic Partnership has grown to 42 members, representing over 75 percent of the Atlantic coastline. The summit saw participation from nations in Africa, Europe, North and South America, and the Caribbean, united in addressing shared challenges, promoting common solutions, and advancing collective principles. A Declaration on Atlantic Cooperation was endorsed, pledging engagement based on international law, mutual collaboration, and respect for differences in capacity and political perspectives.
