Nigeria, Ghana Expand Maritime Alliance With New MoU
Nigeria & Ghana Strengthen Maritime Cooperation to Advance Regional Security & Economic Growth
New Agreement Deepens Bilateral Maritime Relations
NIGERIA and Ghana have taken a significant step toward strengthening maritime cooperation following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding designed to improve maritime governance, enhance security, and promote sustainable development of the Blue Economy.
The agreement between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Ghana Maritime Authority provides a comprehensive framework for long-term collaboration on regulatory development, maritime safety, institutional strengthening, and regional integration.
The initiative reinforces the shared commitment of both countries to building a safer and more competitive maritime sector capable of supporting economic growth across West Africa.
Broad Areas of Cooperation Identified
Under the new partnership, both agencies will collaborate on a wide range of strategic priorities, including maritime safety, security operations, mutual recognition of professional competency certificates, capacity building, research, technical exchanges, and coordinated participation at international maritime institutions.
NIMASA Director-General Dr. Dayo Mobereola said the agreement demonstrates both countries’ determination to transform their longstanding relationship into practical cooperation capable of delivering measurable benefits to the maritime industry.
He stressed that effective implementation, continuous monitoring, and regular evaluation would be critical to achieving the objectives of the agreement.
Joint Team to Drive Implementation
A key feature of the MoU is the creation of a Joint Consultative Team comprising representatives from both maritime authorities.
The committee will prepare implementation plans, coordinate collaborative projects, monitor progress, and convene twice each year to assess achievements and identify new opportunities for cooperation.
Officials believe the structured approach will enhance policy coordination and ensure sustained engagement between both institutions.
Boost for Maritime Security and the Blue Economy
The partnership is expected to strengthen collective efforts to tackle piracy, armed robbery, maritime terrorism, and other security threats affecting the Gulf of Guinea.
Beyond security, the agreement also supports broader economic objectives by promoting sustainable utilisation of marine resources, improving institutional capacity, encouraging research-driven policymaking, and expanding opportunities within the Blue Economy.
As two of the region’s leading maritime nations, Nigeria and Ghana intend to use the partnership to encourage wider cooperation among countries in West and Central Africa.
Shared Vision for Regional Maritime Leadership
Speaking on behalf of Ghana, Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali, praised the agreement as an important milestone in bilateral relations.
He commended Nigeria’s contributions to maritime sector reforms and noted that Ghana has drawn valuable lessons from several Nigerian initiatives, including its Cabotage policy, ship registration system, and regulatory framework.
Both maritime agencies expressed optimism that the agreement would strengthen regional integration, improve maritime governance, and create a more secure and sustainable environment for trade, investment, and economic development across the Gulf of Guinea.
