NIMASA COMMITTED TO NIGERIAN MARITIME UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT ... Plans To Converts NSTC To NMU Campuses

Director General, (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh (right) presenting a souvenir to representative of the Chairman, Governing Council, (NMU), Alhaji Bello Dukku Salihu; 

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh has restated the Agency’s commitment to the development of the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU) in Okerenkoko, Delta State.

According to a press release by the Asst. Director, Public Relations of NIMASA, Edward Osagie, the DG stated this when a delegation from the University paid a visit to NIMASA Headquarters in Lagos, he noted that despite handing over the university to the National University Commission,(NUC) the Agency is still committed to supporting the university by completing projects it initiated in the school. 

While advising the Management of NMU to  seek national and  international accreditations to  ensure certificates from the school enjoy global recognition, Jamoh urged the school  to seek collaboration with the World Maritime University, (WMU) amongst other specialized higher institutions of learning.

“Nigeria Maritime University can conveniently bridge the gap in terms of human capacity deficiency in the Nigerian Maritime sector; All you need to do as management is to seek collaboration with similar specialized institutions and ensure that NMU certificates enjoy global recognition. Our goal is to seek top level manpower development from NMU instead of the current situation where institutions abroad are preferred to Nigerian based".

L-R:Executive Director Operations, (NIMASA), Shehu Ahmed; Director General NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh; Vice Chancellor NMU, Prof. Emmanuel Adigo; Alhaji Bello Dukku Salihu and Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Victor Ochei 

The NIMASA DG also noted that despite handing over the University to the National University Commission, the Agency still makes budgetary provisions for NMU to ensure the completion of projects NIMASA initiated in the university.  “Our belief is that a well-funded NMU will greatly enhance youth employment and engagement particularly in the Niger Delta Region of the country. Our financial commitment to NMU is based on principle of capacity development". He said.

While commenting on the Modular Floating Dock, the NIMASA boss revealed that experts from the manufacturers of the Floating Dock have been in Nigeria for over a month working on the nitty gritty of deploying the dockyard. He also informed the NMU Management that the facility will be available for students from the University for practical experience when it becomes functional.

Dr Jamoh also disclosed to the visiting team that a proposal to convert the NIMASA Science and Technical college Okoloba to a campus of the Nigerian Maritime University is under consideration. “Our facilities at the Science and Technical College Okoloba in Delta State are grossly being underutilized. A proposal to hand over the facility to the Management of the University is under consideration."

On his part, the Chairman of the NMU governing board who was represented by Alhaji Bello Dukku Salihu informed that the school is in the process of signing an MoU with the Ghana Maritime University, he went further to commend NIMASA for constantly supporting the University.

While expressing delight at clarification about the Modular Floating Dockyard which they had perceived belonged to the school, the representative of the Board Chairman of the school said "With better understanding about the history and technicalities involved in the Floating dockyard, we are satisfied with the steps NIMASA management is taking".