Lagos, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Nigeria is seeking to strengthen the competitiveness of its maritime sector through a strategic partnership with one of the world’s most successful ship registries, as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) accelerate efforts to modernise and fully automate the country’s ship registration system.
The initiative formed the basis of high-level discussions between the Director-General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, and the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen of the Malta Ship Registry, Ivan Tabone, during the Posidonia 2026 maritime exhibition in Athens, Greece.
The engagement underscores Nigeria’s growing focus on improving maritime governance, attracting investment into the shipping industry and positioning the country as a leading maritime hub in Africa.
Both parties explored opportunities for technical cooperation in key areas including ship registration processes, regulatory efficiency, digital transformation, institutional best practices and capacity development.
Industry stakeholders view a modern and efficient ship registry as a critical component of maritime sector growth, helping to attract vessel owners, enhance compliance with international standards and improve a country’s competitiveness in global shipping.
Speaking during the meeting, Mobereola reiterated NIMASA’s commitment to transforming the Nigerian Ship Registry into a fully automated, transparent and technology-driven platform that aligns with global best practices.
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According to him, ongoing reforms are designed to simplify registration processes, improve service delivery, encourage indigenous vessel ownership and increase investor confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
“We are committed to building a transparent and efficient ship registry that meets international standards while supporting the broader growth objectives of Nigeria’s maritime industry,” he said.
Mobereola noted that the modernization programme is aligned with the vision of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the leadership of Adegboyega Oyetola, which seeks to unlock greater economic value from Nigeria’s vast maritime assets.
The choice of Malta as a strategic partner reflects the country’s global reputation in ship registration and maritime administration.
The Malta Ship Registry is the largest merchant shipping register in Europe and ranks among the top six globally by gross tonnage. With more than 9,500 vessels flying its flag, the registry has earned international recognition for its robust legal framework, efficient administration and strong compliance with international maritime standards.
Maritime analysts believe that adopting elements of Malta’s operational model could help Nigeria streamline regulatory processes, improve transparency and make the Nigerian registry more attractive to local and international ship owners.
The collaboration also comes at a time when Nigeria is pursuing broader reforms aimed at expanding its blue economy, strengthening indigenous shipping capacity and increasing the contribution of the maritime sector to national economic growth.
If successfully implemented, industry experts say the partnership could enhance Nigeria’s standing in global maritime trade, improve ease of doing business in the shipping sector and support the country’s ambition to become a preferred maritime destination in Africa.
