Ghana, Nigeria Sign 4-Year Maritime MoU for Seafarer Mobility and Gulf of Guinea Security

The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have signed a new four-year Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen regional maritime cooperation and safety in the Gulf of Guinea.

The agreement was signed on July 1, 2026, at the NIMASA Towers in Victoria Island, Lagos, by the Director General of GMA, Dr Kamal-Deen Ali, Naval Captain Rtd., and the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola.

Under the MoU, the two regulatory bodies will focus on areas of mutual growth.

Key provisions include the mutual recognition of Certificates of Competency to streamline seafarer training and employment across both countries, and joint maritime security operations to combat piracy, armed robbery and terrorism in the Gulf of Guinea.

The pact also covers enhanced cabotage enforcement and institutional capacity building. This will be pursued through expert exchanges, joint research, and technical conferences aimed at improving standards and regulatory practice.

Speaking during the signing, Dr Ali said the agreement has significant regional implications.

He noted that lessons GMA learns from NIMASA will help build the broader regional economy, especially as Nigeria handles over 60 per cent of vessel traffic in the Gulf of Guinea.

To ensure effective implementation, a Joint Consultative Team made up of designated focal persons from both agencies will meet bi-annually.

The meetings will alternate between Accra and Lagos to monitor progress and drive the execution of the MoU.

The new agreement signals a renewed commitment by Ghana and Nigeria to work together on maritime safety, seafarer welfare, and sustainable growth of the shipping industry in West Africa.

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