Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has restated the agency’s strong commitment to advancing local shipbuilding and repair capabilities in Nigeria.
Dr. Mobereola made this known during an inspection visit to Nigerdock, located within the Snake Island Integrated Free Zone in Lagos, where he assessed ongoing maintenance work on the DB Lagos, a mission-critical vessel used for maritime surveillance and national security operations.
The DB Lagos is instrumental in combating maritime crimes such as oil theft, smuggling, and illegal immigration within Nigeria’s territorial waters. Speaking at the site, the NIMASA boss expressed satisfaction with the quality and progress of the maintenance project, describing it as a “clear demonstration” of Nigeria’s capacity to undertake sophisticated ship repair and construction.
“What I am seeing here today is a testimony to the fact that we have the ability not only to repair but also to build ships right here in Nigeria,” Dr. Mobereola said.
He added that the inspection visit aligns with the vision of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, who has made the development of indigenous shipbuilding and repair capacity a top priority.
“We at NIMASA are demonstrating our belief in this vision by ensuring that our own vessels are maintained locally,” he stated.
The visit reinforces NIMASA’s broader strategy to boost indigenous maritime infrastructure, promote local content, and enhance national security all aimed at achieving sustainable growth within Nigeria’s maritime sector.