Naval Officers from 20 Nations Visit NIMASA C4i Centre

Forty naval officers from 20 countries have visited the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s (NIMASA) Command, Control, Communication, Computer and Intelligence (C4i) Centre in Kirikiri, Lagos, as part of the Siren Course onboard the French vessel LHD Tonnerre. 

The delegation, led by Colonel Stéphane Oseo, Defence Attaché at the French Embassy in Nigeria, made a two-day port call in Lagos beginning October 13, 2025. They came to deepen their understanding of how maritime administrations operate under the framework of the Yaoundé Architecture for Maritime Safety and Security in West and Central Africa.

During the visit, the officers engaged with officials from NIMASA’s Deep Blue Project to explore strategies for maritime domain awareness, inter-agency coordination and information sharing. They also received briefings at the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (RMRCC) on Nigeria’s procedures for search and rescue operations.

Representing NIMASA, Mr. Heaky Dimowo, Director of Marine Environment Management, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustained regional cooperation to strengthen maritime safety and security across the Gulf of Guinea.

Stakeholders view the visit as an opportunity to share best practices and enhance collective capacity in addressing maritime threats, including piracy, illegal fishing, and unmonitored vessel movements in the region.

Oshuniran Sheriff Ola