Four Years Without Pirate Attacks Has Reduced Shipping Insurance Costs – NIMASA DG

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Tuesday said Nigeria’s sustained record of zero pirate attacks in its waterways over the past four years has led to reduced shipping insurance costs and improved global confidence in the country’s maritime sector.

Director-General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, disclosed this during the graduation ceremony of 177 personnel trained under the Deep Blue Maritime Operational and C4i capability programme held in Lagos.

Mobereola said the anti-piracy successes recorded through the Deep Blue Project have contributed significantly to lowering war-risk insurance premiums imposed on vessels operating within Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea.

According to him, Nigeria’s improved maritime security profile also played a major role in the country’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

He noted that the 177 graduands underwent intensive training programmes designed to strengthen operational efficiency, intelligence gathering, coordination, and rapid response capabilities within Nigeria’s maritime domain.

The graduands comprise 33 Special Mission Vessel Officers, 14 Special Mission Vessel Engineers, 107 Fast Intervention Boat Operators, Technicians and Boarding Team members, and 23 Helicopter Team personnel.

Mobereola explained that the trainees received specialised instruction in helicopter operations, medical evacuation, vessel landing and clearing, interceptor boat tactical operations, communication systems, unmanned aerial systems capability, and first aid/combat medic procedures.

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

He added that the achievements recorded in maritime security have strengthened investor confidence and enhanced Nigeria’s standing within the international maritime community.

The NIMASA boss commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for supporting the agency’s drive towards strengthening maritime security and advancing the blue economy agenda.

He also appreciated the support of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Homeland Security International (HLSI), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Police Force, and other stakeholders for sustaining the Deep Blue Project.

Mobereola urged the graduands to uphold professionalism, discipline, patriotism, and integrity in carrying out their duties to sustain the security gains already recorded in Nigeria’s waters.

Speaking earlier, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, reaffirmed the critical importance of inter-agency collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s maritime security architecture.

Abbas who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, congratulated participants who successfully completed the specialised training, describing their performance during the capability demonstration as “surgically executed,” with high levels of operational efficiency and professionalism.

He noted that the graduation marks not just the completion of a training programme, but a renewed commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and enhancing security in the Gulf of Guinea.

According to him, the Deep Blue Project stands out as a “classic example of inter-agency collaboration,” stressing that modern national security demands sustained cooperation, professionalism, vigilance, and continuous capacity development among all maritime stakeholders.

He commended the director general of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, and the agency’s management for their sustained investment in maritime security capacity building, describing NIMASA as a strategic partner in strengthening maritime governance and operational effectiveness.