The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITC-ILO) to strengthen human capacity development and enhance maritime labour administration in Nigeria.
The agreement, signed in Turin, Italy, is aimed at boosting NIMASA’s institutional capacity through targeted technical assistance, specialised training, and capacity-building programmes for the Agency’s workforce and key stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime industry.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Chudi Offodile, described human capital development as a cornerstone of the Agency’s strategy to build a globally competitive maritime sector.
L-R: Special Assistant to Executive Director Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Dr. Zainab Kyari; Regional Advisor/Technical Expert on Maritime Labour Conventions, Dr Amos Hosea Kuje; Director, Legal Services NIMASA, Mr. Heaky Dimowo; Head of Training, ITCILO Giuseppe Zefola, Executive Director Finance and Administration, NIMASA, Mr Chudi Offodile; Director, and Head of ITCILO Christopher Perrin; Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services Jibril Abba; Director of Administration and Human Resource, NIMASA; Mrs. Moji A. Jimoh in turin Italy
According to Mobereola, the collaboration aligns with NIMASA’s commitment to structured professional development and will leverage the ITC-ILO’s international expertise to strengthen the capacity of maritime labour inspectors, policymakers, trainers, and other professionals in the interpretation and implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006, as amended.
“This partnership directly supports our objective of developing a highly skilled maritime workforce while reinforcing our commitment to structured and targeted capacity-building programmes,” he said.
The NIMASA boss added that the Agency remains committed to ensuring that the knowledge, systems, and partnerships developed through the initiative translate into measurable improvements in maritime labour administration, promote decent work, and position Nigeria’s maritime industry among the best globally.
Also speaking, the Director of the ITC-ILO, Mr. Christopher Perrin, welcomed the partnership and assured NIMASA of the Centre’s commitment to deploying its technical expertise, faculty, and resources to support Nigeria’s drive for sustainable human capital development in the maritime sector.
The MoU is the culmination of several strategic engagements between both organisations. The Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services at NIMASA, Mr. Jibril Abba, and the Head of Training at ITC-ILO, Mr. Giuseppe Zefola, served as focal persons for the initiative, while the ILO Regional Adviser and Technical Expert, Dr. Amos Kuje, provided strategic guidance throughout the process.
The partnership is expected to deepen institutional collaboration, strengthen maritime labour governance, and equip Nigerian maritime professionals with globally recognised competencies needed to meet the evolving demands of the international shipping industry.
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