Nigeria’s quest to sustain safer waterways and strengthen maritime security received a major boost on Tuesday as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) graduated 177 personnel under the Deep Blue Maritime Security Project, reinforcing efforts to maintain the country’s impressive anti-piracy record and operational readiness across its maritime domain.
The graduation ceremony, held in Lagos, featured a high-level tactical capability demonstration showcasing the operational preparedness of the newly trained personnel in areas including helicopter operations, medical evacuation, vessel boarding, tactical manoeuvres, communications, unmanned aerial systems, and combat response techniques.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to sustaining the Deep Blue Project through stronger institutional partnerships, continuous training, and enhanced maritime security coordination.
“I wish to reiterate the shared vision to ensure the sustainability of the Deep Blue Project. It is our commitment to strengthening these partnerships for the overall progress of the Nigerian maritime industry,” Mobereola stated.
The graduating personnel comprised 33 Special Mission Vessel Officers, 14 Special Mission Vessel Engineers, 107 Fast Intervention Boat drivers, technicians and boarding team members, alongside helicopter operations personnel.
According to the NIMASA boss, the intensive training programmes were designed to sharpen professional competence, improve intelligence coordination, and strengthen rapid response capabilities within Nigeria’s maritime space.
Mobereola expressed confidence that the skills acquired by the graduands would help consolidate the gains already achieved in maritime security, noting that Nigeria has now recorded four consecutive years without piracy incidents within its territorial waters.
He explained that the achievement has contributed to reducing war risk insurance premiums and restoring international confidence in Nigeria’s maritime industry.
The NIMASA DG further disclosed that the successes recorded under the Deep Blue Project played a key role in Nigeria’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
He also commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his support in advancing the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda.
Charging the graduands to remain disciplined and professional, Mobereola reminded them of the critical responsibility ahead.
“The task ahead is enormous, and what Nigeria expects from you is the highest level of professionalism, discipline and integrity,” he said.
He equally appreciated the support of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Homeland Security International (HSI), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Police, and other stakeholders whose contributions have strengthened the implementation of the Deep Blue Project.
Earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abass, described the Deep Blue initiative as a model of effective inter-agency collaboration in tackling maritime threats within Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
Represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdulahi Mustapha, the Naval Chief noted that evolving maritime threats require sustained cooperation, vigilance, and continuous capacity development among security personnel.
He commended NIMASA’s leadership for maintaining investments in maritime security infrastructure and manpower development.
“The agency has continued to play a strategic role in supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime governance and operational effectiveness in the Nigerian maritime space,” he said.
Vice Admiral Abass urged the graduands to deploy their newly acquired skills with dedication and professionalism in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime environment and supporting the nation’s blue economy aspirations.
“The Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with NIMASA and other stakeholders, shall continue to strengthen synergy in order to deny criminal elements freedom of action within our maritime space,” he added.
In her welcome remarks, the Head of the Deep Blue Project at NIMASA, Mrs. Gladys Owolabi, noted that sustainability remains the cornerstone of the project’s progress and operational success.
She explained that the project’s sustainability framework focuses heavily on continuous training, maintenance, and effective coordination of the various maritime assets deployed under the initiative.
The ceremony climaxed with a tactical simulation exercise that highlighted the combat readiness and operational efficiency of the graduating personnel, further underscoring Nigeria’s determination to secure its maritime domain and strengthen regional maritime safety.
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