By Gabriel Ameh
Nigeria and China have strengthened their maritime relations with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving seafarer training, maritime safety and cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement was signed in Shanghai, China, by the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, and his Chinese counterpart, Xu Wei, Director-General of the China Maritime Safety Administration (China MSA).
The signing took place at the Shanghai Seafarers Assessment Model Centre and provides a framework for cooperation in six key areas, including maritime safety and navigation, marine environmental protection, seafarer training, certification and rights protection, marine casualty investigation, maritime transportation facilitation and maritime security.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mobereola described the agreement as a historic milestone in Nigeria-China relations, expressing the commitment of both countries to converting their longstanding partnership into practical programmes and measurable benefits for their maritime industries.
He stressed that the success of the agreement would depend on translating its provisions into concrete initiatives that would strengthen expertise, improve industry standards and create opportunities for both countries.
According to the Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations at NIMASA, Osagie Edward, Mobereola said the agreement was a commitment to practical maritime cooperation, shared expertise and measurable benefits for both countries.
On his part, Xu Wei reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening maritime ties with Nigeria, noting China’s interest in the country’s maritime development and acknowledging the progress recorded in the sector.
He pledged continued support for bilateral collaboration and sustainable growth in the maritime industries of both countries.
The agreement is expected to promote technical cooperation, knowledge-sharing, professional training, capacity development and the exchange of best practices between the two maritime administrations.
For Nigeria, the partnership could provide opportunities to strengthen the skills and professional development of its seafarers, improve maritime safety standards and enhance the country’s capacity to compete in the global shipping industry.
Source: Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
