The House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration has sounded a stern warning to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), insisting that opacity and weak performance will no longer be tolerated in the agency’s 2026 budget proposals
The House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration has sounded a stern warning to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), insisting that opacity and weak performance will no longer be tolerated in the agency’s 2026 budget proposals.
At the 2026 budget defence session, Committee Chairman Rep. Khadija Abba-Ibrahim stressed that heads of agencies must take full responsibility for their plans, projections, and measurable outcomes.
“This session is an opportunity for the agency to clearly articulate its 2026 roadmap and address pressing concerns—ranging from maritime insecurity to capacity development and operational efficiency,” Rep. Abba-Ibrahim said.
NIMASA has projected a gross revenue of approximately N724 billion for 2026, earmarked for recurrent costs, capital projects, maritime security operations, seafarers’ development, and key infrastructure upgrades.
Abba-Ibrahim described the budget exercise as more than routine oversight, calling it a “critical accountability test,” particularly for lawmakers engaging the maritime agencies for the first time. She underscored that commendation must be backed by results.
The committee demanded detailed, data-driven submissions on maritime safety programmes, human capital development, revenue optimisation strategies, and the status of ongoing and proposed capital projects.
“Every budgetary allocation must translate into tangible value—strengthening security, boosting indigenous shipping capacity, and driving sustainable economic growth,” the panel warned. The lawmakers reaffirmed their readiness to support reforms and policies to reposition the sector but stressed that future approvals will hinge on transparency, performance, and impact.
Defending NIMASA’s proposals, Director-General Dayo Mobereola highlighted ongoing reforms, including the full automation of operations and revenue collection through the MOKOSA platform, designed to eliminate leakages and ensure government revenue is transparently remitted.
“We are not just digitising operations—we are securing revenue and enforcing accountability across board,” Mobereola stated.
On the long-awaited Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), Mobereola said the scheme was relaunched in January, attracting about 60 applications from indigenous shipping firms. He added that a stricter, bank-driven framework has been introduced to prevent past mismanagement, noting, “Under the new structure, financial institutions will assess risk and guarantee repayment before any disbursement. This ensures discipline and sustainability.”
Mobereola also highlighted efforts to empower local shipowners through access to vessels and critical materials, while pointing to Nigeria’s return to the council of the International Maritime Organization after 14 years—a move he described as a strategic breakthrough for the country’s influence in global maritime policy.
Despite these assurances, some lawmakers questioned the timing of the 2026 budget presentation, asking why it was being considered without a comprehensive review of NIMASA’s 2025 performance.
