London — Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, has intensified Nigeria’s drive to strengthen its maritime sector by seeking deeper collaboration with the World Maritime University (WMU) during the ongoing International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council session in London.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Shagari said his meeting with WMU President, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia Jr., centered on expanding cooperation in maritime education, inland waterways development, capacity building, and sustainable transport systems.
The discussions brought together key players in the global maritime industry, with both leaders exploring ways to equip Nigeria with the expertise needed to modernize its inland waterways and unlock the vast opportunities within the country’s blue economy.
Shagari reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to upgrading its inland waterways infrastructure while investing in the development of skilled professionals capable of driving reforms in the sector. He stressed that partnerships with globally respected maritime institutions are essential to achieving international standards in safety, efficiency, and operational excellence.
He noted that the Federal Government remains committed to reforms designed to improve economic activities and safety across Nigeria’s inland waterways, adding that collaboration with the World Maritime University would provide Nigerian maritime professionals with advanced technical knowledge to tackle emerging industry challenges.
The NIWA Board Chairman also underscored the importance of research collaboration, knowledge sharing, and specialized professional training as critical pillars for advancing Nigeria’s maritime ambitions.
Responding, Professor Mejia reaffirmed the World Maritime University’s readiness to support member states through education, research, and capacity development programmes. He commended Nigeria’s renewed focus on strengthening its maritime industry and expressed the university’s willingness to deepen cooperation with relevant Nigerian institutions.
The WMU President emphasized that sustainable growth in the maritime sector depends largely on investment in human capital, innovation, and strict adherence to international maritime standards.
Both leaders examined opportunities to expand educational programmes, specialized training initiatives, and institutional partnerships that would contribute to the long-term development of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
Maritime stakeholders described the meeting as a strategic milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen international cooperation and leverage global expertise to transform inland waterways management and maritime administration.
The engagement formed part of a series of high-level meetings taking place during the IMO Council session, where maritime leaders from around the world are discussing policies to promote safer, more secure, and environmentally sustainable shipping.
Analysts believe the discussions underscore Nigeria’s determination to play a more influential role in the global maritime community while accelerating growth and innovation across the nation’s waterways and transportation sector.
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