The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the welfare, wellbeing and professional development of Nigerian seafarers through stronger collaboration with the Mission to Seafarers (MtS) and other maritime stakeholders.
The commitment was reaffirmed by the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, during a courtesy visit by the Chairman of the Management Committee of Mission to Seafarers Lagos, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, OON, and the Regional Director of Mission to Seafarers Africa, Reverend Cedric Rautenbach, to the agency’s headquarters in Lagos.
Representing the Director-General, NIMASA’s Executive Director of Operations, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, said the agency would continue to implement policies and programmes aimed at improving the welfare, certification, capacity development and career advancement of Nigerian seafarers.
“NIMASA remains committed to improving the welfare of seafarers through enhanced certification processes, capacity development and policies that promote their wellbeing and professional advancement. We will continue to collaborate with stakeholders such as the Mission to Seafarers to ensure that seafarers receive the support they deserve both at sea and in port,” Adeyemi said.
Earlier, Chief Adebayo Sarumi commended NIMASA for its ongoing reforms in the maritime sector and expressed appreciation for the agency’s commitment to supporting Nigerian seafarers.
He noted that the Mission to Seafarers has continued to provide welfare services, pastoral care and practical support to seafarers worldwide, expressing confidence that closer collaboration with NIMASA would further strengthen welfare support for maritime professionals in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Regional Director of Mission to Seafarers Africa, Reverend Cedric Rautenbach, explained that although the Mission to Seafarers and the Port Welfare Committee share the common goal of improving seafarers’ welfare, both organisations operate under separate but complementary mandates.
He stressed that stronger collaboration among stakeholders would enhance welfare support systems for seafarers visiting Nigerian ports.
The meeting also provided both organisations with an opportunity to discuss issues relating to seafarers’ welfare, decent working conditions and areas of mutual cooperation aimed at strengthening welfare services across Nigeria’s maritime industry.
NIMASA reiterated that it remains committed to protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerian seafarers in line with international best practices and the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006.
The agency said it will continue to promote decent working conditions, strengthen regulatory oversight and engage stakeholders to ensure Nigerian seafarers operate in an environment that safeguards their rights, welfare and professional development.
