The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh has tasked the academia on the sustainable development of Nigeria’s blue economy.
Jamoh, who stated this during a courtesy visit by the management team from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) led by its Vice Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola averred that the academia has a major role to play in the development of blue economy in the country.
According to him, the agency is committed to the development of the Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS) located in the university.
He urged the UNILAG management to develop and implement a five year action plan to make the IMS the epicenter of research for the repositioning of the blue economy as the leading contributory sector of the nation’s economy.
This he said is due to the vast maritime potentials Nigeria is blessed with.
“In the next four to five years, both NIMASA and UNILAG should be able to boast of important research milestones achieved by the Institute of Maritime Studies leading to recommendations and action plans geared towards the development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy. Considering the fact that maritime is global by nature, the Institute should also have an international focus with students from other African countries welcomed, in order to broaden the scope of learning and thereby positioning Nigeria as a hub for maritime education as well”.
A statement signed by NIMASA Assistant Director, Public Relations, Mr. Edward Osagie quoted Jamoh also calling for the harmonization of all 16 Memoranda of Understanding which the agency has signed with universities in Nigeria, to serve as a guide for the IMS in UNILAG.
On her part, Ogunsola, assured the NIMASA management of UNILAG commitment towards sustaining standards by intentionally changing the narrative of maritime education in Nigeria.
While appealing for the agency to complete the UNILAG-IMS building project, the Vice Chancellor said they will embrace partnership with local and international parties to ensure UNILAG becomes a formidable force in the maritime space through developing and grooming the right capacities, driving relevant research, ensuring proper certification, securing industry engagement and facilitating exchange opportunities for students, for global relevance.
Maritime Bits had reported that the UNILAG-NIMASA IMS building is one of 6 projects sited across each geopolitical zone of the country by NIMASA to provide suitable manpower requirements for the contemporary maritime industry, through comprehensive theoretical and practical maritime training.
