Nigerian Navy, NIMASA Strengthen Strategic Partnership for Maritime Security

The Nigerian Navy (NN) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) have renewed their strategic partnership through the signing of a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to strengthen maritime safety and security across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
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The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, Principal Staff Officers and senior officials of both organisations at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja. The renewed MoU consolidates a relationship that began in 2007 and has been sustained through successive renewals, reflecting the resilience and enduring national value of the partnership. By aligning the complementary mandates, capabilities and expertise of both institutions, the framework is expected to improve coordination, strengthen operational alignment and translate cooperation into measurable maritime safety and security outcomes.

Speaking before the signing, the DG/CEO NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, described the renewal as a reaffirmation of the shared commitment of both organisations to the security, safety, sustainability and prosperity of Nigeria’s maritime domain and Blue Economy. He noted that Nigeria’s economic wellbeing is closely connected to the sea and stressed that securing the nation’s maritime space is a national imperative. He acknowledged the Nigerian Navy as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s maritime security architecture and recognised its operational support to NIMASA in the discharge of the Agency’s statutory responsibilities.

In a similar vein, the CNS, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, described the renewed MoU as an important milestone in an enduring relationship founded on decades of cooperation and shared national interests. He expressed confidence in the leadership of NIMASA and the progress being recorded by the Agency, while reaffirming the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to sustained collaboration for improved national outcomes. He pledged the Navy’s operational support towards the effective discharge of NIMASA’s mandate over

the next five years, emphasising that sustained inter-agency cooperation remains indispensable to securing Nigeria’s maritime space and advancing the national interest.

Under the renewed framework, the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA will deepen cooperation in maritime safety and security, marine pollution control, search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, intelligence and information sharing, hydrography, training and professional capacity development. These areas of cooperation will enhance maritime domain awareness, strengthen coordinated responses to incidents at sea and support the safety of ships, crew, cargo, passengers and navigation within Nigeria’s maritime domain.

Navy, NIMASA

Beyond operational activity, the MoU establishes a stronger institutional framework for timely intelligence and information exchange, the appropriate utilisation of relevant facilities and capabilities, and cooperation in other areas of mutual interest. Significantly, the agreement provides mechanisms for accountability and sustained delivery. Its implementation will be subjected to regular institutional review, while both organisations will jointly convene an annual Maritime Safety and Security Conference. These mechanisms will provide opportunities to assess progress, address emerging challenges, refine joint priorities to ensure that the partnership continues to produce practical and measurable outcomes.

For the Nigerian Navy, securing Nigeria’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone remains fundamental to protecting lives and property, safeguarding legitimate maritime activities, preserving national security and creating an enabling environment for the sustainable development of the Blue Economy.

The Nigerian Navy will continue to work with NIMASA, sister Services and other security agencies to protect Nigeria’s maritime interests and defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Navy remains resolute in advancing a safer, more secure and prosperous maritime environment for Nigeria and the wider Gulf of Guinea. Please kindly disseminate accordingly.

ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO

Navy Captain for Chief of the Naval Staff
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NANS Honour Umahi as Grand Patron, Commends His Efforts in Road Infrastructure Projects

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has honoured the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, with the title of Grand Patron of NANS, in recognition of his contributions to road infrastructure development and his commitment to transforming Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape.
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The honour was conferred on the Minister when the leadership of NANS, led by its Global President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde, paid a courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, Abuja, on Monday, 10 August, 2026.

Speaking while receiving the student leaders, Minister Umahi expressed appreciation for the honour, describing NANS as a critical mass representing the present and future leadership of the country.

He congratulated the Association’s leadership on the confidence reposed in him and commended the Nigerian students, both at home and abroad for their courage, intellectual capacity, and commitment to national development.

Engr. Umahi said he had rarely accepted awards in the past but decided to accept the NANS’ honour because they represent the leaders of today and tomorrow.

“I am so grateful and humbled by the kind words you spoke about me. I rarely accept awards, but this is a body that is made up of our leaders, the future leaders and leaders of today and tomorrow,” he said.

The Minister urged Nigerian students to take an active interest in national issues, stressing the importance of being properly informed and guided by facts rather than sentiments, particularly in this era of social media.

He challenged the students to scrutinise government policies and programmes and take informed positions on issues affecting the nation.

The Minister also highlighted some of the major road infrastructure projects being executed under the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR noting that the projects were designed to improve connectivity, facilitate economic activities, create employment opportunities and strengthen national integration and development.

He cited the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway, the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Makurdi–Enugu corridor, the Port Harcourt-Bodo Bonny road project and other legacy/major projects across the country as evidence of the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development.

On the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano road project, the Minister explained that significant progress had been achieved, adding that the administration remained determined to complete the outstanding sections.

Umahi said the Federal Government was also introducing solar-powered street lighting and tree planting along strategic sections of some major highways to improve safety, visibility and aesthetics for road users and communities along the corridors.

According to him, “the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway remains a major economic investment that will open up new vistas of opportunity across the coastal corridor, while other legacy projects are being executed to cover more communities and connect previously isolated areas.

The Minister further disclosed that the Ministry had opened its road projects to greater public scrutiny, stressing that transparency and accountability remained central to the administration’s infrastructure development programme.

He disclosed that the Ministry had engaged relevant anti-corruption agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to inspect projects and ensure that contractors and officials remained accountable.

“We are ready for constructive criticism. We have nothing to hide in these projects. You are stakeholders and you are very important in the development of these projects,” Umahi stated.

The Minister welcomed the partnership with NANS and directed that it should be supported to embark on monitoring tours of Federal Government road projects across the country.

He also announced plans to provide vehicles for student representatives to monitor projects, stressing that the initiative was intended to allow students to see the projects firsthand, ask questions, and provide constructive feedback.

Umahi cautioned the students against confrontation with officials or contractors, urging them to carry out their monitoring responsibilities professionally, objectively, and honestly.

He said the partnership would also provide an opportunity for young Nigerians to understand the scale of infrastructure development taking place across the country and to contribute meaningfully to national discourse.

The Minister urged the students to focus on issues rather than personalities and to use their education and influence to promote national unity, responsible citizenship and economic development.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, commended NANS for recognising the work being undertaken by the Ministry and for choosing to establish a partnership with the Federal Government.

He described the honour bestowed on the Minister as a demonstration of confidence in his leadership and commitment to infrastructure development.

He assured the students that the Ministry remained open to scrutiny, constructive criticism and recommendations aimed at improving the quality and delivery of the Federal Government’s road projects.

“There is nothing we are doing in secret. Everything is open. We want you to go and see our projects, see where we are doing well and, where we are not meeting expectations, and call our attention to them. We are ready to amend, change, and take the right course.” he assured.

The Permanent Secretary urged the students to become responsible ambassadors of national development and to continue supporting initiatives that promote the progress and unity of Nigeria.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President (SSA-P) on Student Engagement, Hon. Sunday Asefon, also commended President Tinubu and the Minister of Works for their commitment to infrastructure development.

Hon. Asefon stated that the Federal Government’s investment in road infrastructure was creating opportunities for young Nigerians and improving access to educational institutions and other critical services across the country.

NANS

He encouraged NANS to sustain its engagement with the government and ensure that students remained active participants in national development.

Earlier, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Akinteye Babatunde, announced the association’s decision to honour the Minister as Grand Patron of NANS, citing his hard work, commitment to excellence and achievements in road infrastructure development as parameters.

He described the visit to the Ministry as a “homecoming,” stressing that NANS was interested in building a strong partnership with the Ministry and creating opportunities for Nigerian students to visit and assess major/ legacy road projects being executed under the Tinubu administration.

According to him, the honour was in recognition of the Minister’s “hard work and immeasurable service to humanity,” adding that his achievements in road infrastructure are contributing significantly to economic growth and job creation for Nigeria’s teeming youths.

The NANS President noted that good road infrastructure was particularly important to students because it facilitates movement to educational institutions, examination centres and other destinations, while reducing travel time and transportation costs.

He described the honour as a vote of confidence in the Minister as one of the key drivers of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the infrastructure sector.

“We have a duty to contribute to the development of this country, and to that extent, we make bold to say that the scale of road projects completed under your leadership is worth recognition,” he said.

Comrade Babatunde pledged the association’s support for the Minister and expressed optimism that the partnership between NANS and the Federal Ministry of Works would be sustained in the interest of Nigerian students and the country at large.

The event marked a new phase of collaboration between the Ministry and the Nigerian student community, with both sides expressing commitment to transparency, accountability, and constructive engagement for sustainable national development.

Mohammed A. Ahmed,
Director, Information and Public Relations.
11 August, 2026.
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NPF Unveils Strategic Plans for 6th CARSPO Conference to Develop Roadmap for 2027 Election Security

The Nigeria Police Force officially announces the sixth edition of the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers, CARSPO 2026, scheduled to hold from 21st to 23rd September, 2026, in Owerri, Imo State, in conjunction with Lenders Consult International. The Conference will focus on developing a strategic roadmap for effective management of security during elections ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
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Themed “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections, ”CARSPO 2026 will bring together senior police officers, policing experts and relevant stakeholders to examine emerging electoral security challenges and develop practical strategies for safe, peaceful and credible elections.

Deliberations will focus on Intelligence-led Policing, Police-Community Partnerships, digital technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and other contemporary approaches to strengthening police operations before, during, and after elections.

The Conference, primarily involving officers of the rank of Commissioner of Police and above, will provide an opportunity for strategic engagement and the development of practical measures to strengthen the Force’s capacity for election security management.

The Conference will facilitate the development of actionable strategies for the protection of voters, electoral personnel, candidates, electoral materials and the general public during the 2027 General Elections.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Monday, 21st September, 2026, in Owerri, Imo State.

CARSPO

The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to strengthening strategic leadership, professionalism and operational preparedness towards ensuring a peaceful, safe and secure environment for the 2027 General Elections.

CSP Ani Iniedu, anipr
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
11th August , 2026
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