The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Wednesday said Nigeria has recorded four consecutive years without a single piracy incident.
The agency attributed the milestone to sustained efforts to strengthen maritime safety and security, including the enactment and implementation of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, made the disclosure while speaking at the 21th Abuja International Trade Fair.
Mobereola, represented by Mrs. Nneka Obiano, said the progress has significantly improved confidence in Nigeria’s maritime domain.
He recalled that Nigeria was previously regarded as one of the major piracy hotspots in the Gulf of Guinea, a situation that negatively impacted vessel traffic, foreign investment and the movement of goods and services.
According to him, The absence of a dedicated legal framework for prosecuting piracy had been a major challenge until the SPOMO Act was enacted in 2019.
“The first successful prosecution of pirates under the Act between 2021 and 2022 demonstrated Nigeria’s resolve to confront maritime crimes through legal and institutional measures.
“Some of us may be aware of the time in the past when the Gulf of Guinea was regarded as the piracy hotspot of the world.”
Mobereola explained that the insecurity had serious economic consequences, as vessels were diverted to neighbouring countries, while investment and trade were disrupted.
“The introduction of the SPOMO Act changed the situation by providing a legal framework for prosecuting piracy and other maritime offences,” he added.
Mobereola stressed that Nigeria’s success has attracted the attention of other countries in the Gulf of Guinea, with Cameroon and Ghana taking steps to strengthen their own legal frameworks against piracy.
Earlier, the Head of the NIMASA Abuja Zonal Office, Buba Umar said the agency’s participation in the trade fair was aimed at raising public awareness of its regulatory mandate and the vast opportunities in the maritime sector.
He noted that Nigeria remains a maritime nation with significant potential for trade, investment, job creation and economic diversification.
He assured that NIMASA would continue to collaborate with stakeholders to promote maritime safety, security, environmental responsibility and sustainable development of the sector.
He urged visitors to engage with NIMASA officials at the agency’s exhibition stand for information on opportunities and activities within the maritime industry.
He added that the agency’s presence at the fair was part of efforts to deepen engagement with the business community, policymakers, entrepreneurs and the public.