LAGOS – The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Chatham House, London, have agreed to bring the issue of maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) this month, highlighting the progress made by NIMASA in tackling piracy and sea robbery in the region.
The decision was reached during a meeting between Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General of NIMASA, and Dr. Alex Vines, Director of the Africa Programme at Chatham House. Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative at the International Maritime Organization, Bwala William, was also in attendance.
NIMASA and Chatham House have initiated plans to convene a meeting of international stakeholders from both the public and private sectors in Nigeria. The objective is to develop a comprehensive position paper on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Following the meeting, Dr. Mobereola underscored the importance of sustained international collaboration to maintain security in the region.
“We had a very fruitful discussion with the team at Chatham House. The decision to engage the UN Security Council is to ensure they are well informed about the progress made so far in terms of security in the Gulf of Guinea,” Mobereola said via his official X handle @MobereolaD. He also emphasized the need for an independent analysis of the security situation and how to leverage improved security into economic benefits, such as reduced freight costs for Nigeria-bound goods and addressing war risk insurance premiums for vessels.
Mobereola expressed optimism that Chatham House’s involvement would act as a catalyst in advancing Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
Chatham House, a century-old institution, is known for its independent analysis and trusted dialogue, helping societies and governments navigate change.
