The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) says it is embracing cutting-edge digital technologies to boost regulatory performance and block revenue leakages, amid what it describes as “false and sponsored” reports alleging the concession of its operations.
NIMASA unveiled its digital transformation blueprint under a renewed drive to automate processes, enhance accountability and seal financial loopholes, while distancing itself from claims that it is handing over core functions to private interests.
Mr Bashir Jamoh, Director General of NIMASA, says that the reforms are aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and are targeted at strengthening institutional transparency, revenue assurance, and compliance with global environmental standards.
“The attention of the Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has been drawn to sponsored publications falsely alleging that the Agency has embarked on a concession of its operations,” the agency states.
“The Management” the statement adds, “wishes to categorically state that there is no iota of truth in these claims. This is the handwork of some external and internal elements who have conspired to benefit from the current porous system.”
Technology is transforming maritime operations NIMASA says, revealing that following a comprehensive internal review, it is rolling out a suite of digital tools aimed at modernising Nigeria’s maritime administration landscape.
At the heart of the transformation is the newly-deployed Maritime Enhanced Monitoring System (MEMS)—a centralised digital platform now automating core regulatory tasks, providing real-time vessel monitoring, and plugging revenue gaps in previously opaque operational areas.
“Following a comprehensive internal review of operational systems, the current leadership of NIMASA resolved to embrace technology as a means of enhancing the Agency’s capacity to deliver on its regulatory mandate more effectively and to bring into the coffers of government additional revenue,” the maritime regulator says.
MEMS is now being used in areas such as:
- Waste reception services
- Marine pollution control
- Automated invoicing for maritime activities
- Real-time operational oversight of vessels in Nigerian waters
These sectors have traditionally suffered from inadequate oversight, manual billing, and revenue losses, the maritime agency discloses.
“With MEMS, each waste offload can be logged, time-stamped, and automatically billed, converting previously missed opportunities into a consistent revenue stream while ensuring environmental standards are met,” NIMASA explains.
Marine pollution control gets digital upgrade
NIMASA says that marine pollution—once hobbled by insufficient surveillance and delayed response—is undergoing a digital overhaul. By integrating satellite tracking, digital logbooks and real-time alerts into its operations, the agency is stepping up enforcement and is now able to respond swiftly to environmental breaches.
According to the agency, the upgrades are enabling:
- Faster detection and response to marine pollution incidents
- Improved recovery of environmental damages
- Increased ability to hold polluters accountable
According to NIMASA, many pollution cases were previously either undetected or reported too late due to lack of digital tools. The new systems are closing those gaps.
Tech reforms aim to end revenue losses
NIMASA says it identifies outdated manual systems, fragmented databases and poor digital oversight as key contributors to previous revenue shortfalls. By deploying a unified platform like MEMS, it is saying that operations are becoming more transparent, efficient and corruption-proof.
“It is important to emphasise that past revenue shortfalls experienced by the agency mainly stemmed from outdated manual processes, fragmented data systems, and insufficient digital enforcement mechanisms,” NIMASA reveals.
The new approach is anchored on:
- Centralised digital monitoring
- Integrated data management systems
- Automation of invoicing and revenue tracking
- Improved regulatory enforcement and transparency
The agency says the transformation is being driven not only by technology, but also by a strong commitment to institutional reform and alignment with national goals.
Deep Blue Project sets precedent
NIMASA is citing the earlier resistance to its acclaimed Deep Blue Project, a maritime security initiative, as a similar case where initial scepticism gave way to national acclaim. That experience, the agency says, shows the challenges of reform in entrenched systems.
“It is worth recalling that the Deep Blue Project was also met with stiff resistance during its formative years. Today, it is widely recognised as a pivotal solution in curbing maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea,” the agency notes.
Just as Deep Blue helped reverse the tide of maritime crime, the agency says, the digital transformation programme is expected to eliminate revenue leakages and build public trust in NIMASA’s regulatory capacity.
Public urged to support digital transformation
NIMASA is calling on Nigerians and stakeholders across the maritime and technology ecosystem to ignore what it terms as “deliberate misinformation” and instead back its commitment to reforming Nigeria’s maritime regulatory architecture.
The agency says that it remains fully under government control, and that the reforms are not a concession but a necessary leap toward a modern, accountable and digitally-enabled public institution.
“The current reforms being implemented by NIMASA are focused squarely on overcoming these limitations. By investing in digital infrastructure and streamlining monitoring systems, the agency is positioning itself to fulfil its statutory obligations with transparency, efficiency, and accountability.”
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