The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Mission to Seafarers (MTS) have resolved to advance the welfare of Nigerian seafarers through stronger collaboration with key maritime stakeholders.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, diaclosed this while receiving the Chairman, Management Committee of MTS in Lagos, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, and the Regional Director, Mission to Seafarers Africa, Reverend Cedric Rautenbach, on a courtesy visit to the agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

The agency’s Deputy Director, Public Relations, Osagie Edward explained on Shnday that the Executive Director Operations, NIMASA, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, who represented the director general reiterated the agency’s resolve to continue implementing policies and initiatives that enhance the welfare and professional development of Nigerian seafarers.

According to him, “NIMASA remains committed to improving the welfare of seafarers through enhanced certification processes, capacity development, and policies that promote their wellbeing and professional advancement. We will continue to collaborate with stakeholders such as the Mission to Seafarers to ensure that seafarers receive the support they deserve both at sea and in port.”

Also, the Chairman, Management Committee of Mission to Seafarers Lagos, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, expressed appreciation to NIMASA for receiving the delegation and commended the agency’s ongoing reforms in the maritime sector, noting that the Mission to Seafarers has remained committed globally to providing welfare, pastoral care, and practical support to seafarers, while expressing confidence that deeper collaboration with NIMASA would further improve the welfare of maritime professionals in Nigeria.

The Regional Director, Mission to Seafarers Africa, Reverend Cedric Rautenbach, explained that although the Mission to Seafarers and the Port Welfare Committee share the common objective of improving the welfare of seafarers, both organisations operate under distinct but complementary mandates.

He emphasized that greater collaboration among stakeholders would strengthen support systems available to seafarers calling at Nigerian ports.

The visit provided an opportunity for both organisations to discuss issues bordering on seafarers’ welfare, decent working conditions, and areas of mutual collaboration aimed at enhancing the wellbeing of seafarers and strengthening welfare support services within Nigeria’s maritime sector.