NIMASA Inducts 177 Fresh Security Personnel into Deep Blue Project

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the sustainability of the Deep Blue Project through strengthened partnerships and continuous capacity development aimed at sustaining maritime security gains in Nigeria’s waters.

Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, stated this in Lagos on Tuesday during the graduation ceremony of 177 personnel trained under the Deep Blue Maritime Security Unit and Command, Control, Communication, Computer and Intelligence (C4i) capability demonstration.

The graduands comprised 33 Special Mission Vessel Officers, 14 Special Mission Vessel Engineers, 107 Fast Intervention Boat drivers, technicians and boarding team members, as well as 23 helicopter operations personnel.

According to Mobereola, the personnel underwent rigorous training programmes designed to improve operational efficiency, intelligence coordination and rapid response capabilities within Nigeria’s maritime domain.

The training covered helicopter operations, medical evacuation, vessel landing and clearing, interceptor boat tactical operations and manoeuvres, communications, unmanned aerial systems capabilities, and first aid and combat medic procedures.

Mobereola expressed confidence that the knowledge and skills acquired during the programme would further enhance maritime security operations and help sustain the gains already recorded in Nigeria’s waters.

He noted that Nigeria has maintained four consecutive years without a single piracy incident, a development he said had reduced war-risk insurance premiums and restored global confidence in the nation’s maritime sector.

“For four years now, Nigeria has maintained an impressive record of zero incidence of piracy attacks, leading to reduced war-risk insurance premiums, and restoring Nigeria’s global maritime confidence, all through the instrumentality of the Deep Blue Project,” he said.

The NIMASA DG added that the successes achieved under the Deep Blue Project contributed significantly to Nigeria’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

He also commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his continued support in advancing the nation’s blue economy agenda.
Charging the graduands on their responsibilities ahead, Mobereola said:
“The task ahead is enormous, and what Nigeria expects from you is the highest level of professionalism, discipline, patriotism, and integrity.”

On the sustainability of the project, he said: “I wish to reiterate the shared vision to ensure the sustainability of the Deep Blue Project. It is our commitment to strengthening these partnerships for the overall progress of the Nigerian maritime industry.”

He appreciated the contributions of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Homeland Security International (HLSI), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Police Force and other stakeholders for their support towards the success of the programme.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abass, described the graduation as an affirmation of the strong collaboration between the Nigerian Navy, NIMASA and other security agencies in enhancing maritime security within Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea. He was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdulahi Mustapha.

Abass described the Deep Blue Project as a classic example of effective inter-agency collaboration, noting that the maritime domain continues to face evolving threats that demand vigilance, professionalism, cooperation and sustained capacity development among security personnel.

He commended Mobereola and the management of NIMASA for sustaining investment in maritime security and capacity building.

“The agency has continued to play a strategic role in supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime governance and operational effectiveness in the Nigerian maritime space. I therefore appreciate the instructors and facilitators of the Deep Blue whose dedication and professionalism have contributed immensely to the success of this programme,” he said.

Abass urged the graduands to apply the knowledge acquired with discipline and commitment towards safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime environment and supporting the nation’s blue economy aspirations.

“The Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with NIMASA and other stakeholders, shall continue to strengthen synergy in order to deny criminal elements freedom of action within our maritime space,” he said.

In her welcome address, the Head of the Deep Blue Project at NIMASA, Mrs. Gladys Owolabi, said sustainability remains the hallmark of the project’s consistency, progress and continuous enhancement. She explained that the sustainability agenda encompasses extensive training, maintenance and effective coordination of the various assets and platforms deployed under the Deep Blue Project.

A major highlight of the ceremony was a tactical capability demonstration which showcased the high operational readiness of the trained personnel.