There are growing concerns about the collaboration between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Navy, with warnings that it could result in overlapping jurisdiction, confusion, inefficiency, and potential security breaches in the country’s maritime domain.

Prof. Alfred Oniye, a renowned US marine and security specialist, identified substantial flaws with the joint operations that require correction.

He warned that NIMASA’s dual duties in regulatory oversight and marine safety, as well as the Nigerian Navy’s position in national defense, might lead to jurisdictional overlap and security gaps, undermining efforts to properly defend the nation’s waters.

Oniye, who is also the Secretary General of the Merchant Seafarers Association of Nigeria (MESAN), cited finance restrictions as another major worry. He observed that collaborative efforts necessitate significant resources, which stresses both agencies’ already tight budgets.

Furthermore, the security expert warned against NIMASA’s over-reliance on the military capabilities of the Nigerian Navy, which might impair the former’s long-term operating capacity and resilience.

He contended that this dependence could stymie the growth of NIMASA’s own civilian maritime security infrastructure, restricting the agency’s ability to administer and regulate the marine environment autonomously.

Oniye proposed that a balanced strategy would increase NIMASA’s enforcement powers without requiring military backup, ultimately improving the entire maritime governance structure.

The security expert also emphasized the potential detrimental influence on international perceptions of Nigeria’s maritime governance, claiming that militarizing maritime affairs could prevent foreign investments and partnerships that favor stable and civilian-led regulatory frameworks.

Oniye also advocated using NIMASA resources to promote work possibilities for seafarers, so tackling unemployment concerns that contribute to maritime instability.

He underlined that educating seafarers for enforcement responsibilities is consistent with global best practices and improves Nigeria’s compliance with international maritime rules.
He stated that establishing a well-trained maritime workforce can help to the sector’s economic growth and sustainability while also improving the country’s international position, generating increasing collaboration and investment prospects.

The security expert emphasized that the collaboration must also navigate complex national and international legal frameworks, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to ensure that all collaborative efforts are legally sound and internationally recognized.

While acknowledging some benefits of the NIMASA-Navy collaboration, Oniye stressed the importance of addressing these concerns to ensure a balanced approach that prioritises the development of civilian maritime capabilities while respecting legal frameworks, crucial for sustainable maritime security.