Nigeria has intensified efforts to modernise its inland waterways system by seeking support from the World Maritime University (WMU) to strengthen maritime education, capacity building, and sustainable water transport.
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, made the move during a strategic meeting with the President of the World Maritime University, Prof. Maximo Q. Mejia Jr., on the sidelines of the ongoing International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council Meeting in London.
The meeting focused on leveraging global expertise to advance inland waterways development, maritime education, research and sustainable transportation systems in Nigeria.
Speaking during the engagement, Shagari, who led NIWA’s Acting Managing Director, Yusuf Girei, to the meeting, said Nigeria remains committed to modernising its inland waterways infrastructure while developing the skilled workforce needed to drive growth in the sector.
According to him, Nigeria’s extensive inland waterways network offers enormous opportunities for transportation, trade and the growth of the blue economy, but achieving its full potential requires collaboration with internationally recognised maritime institutions.
“Strategic partnerships with global maritime institutions are critical to achieving the Federal Government’s objectives of improving safety, operational efficiency and economic activities across Nigeria’s inland waterways,” Shagari said.
He added that deeper collaboration in research, training and knowledge exchange would equip Nigerian maritime professionals with the technical expertise needed to address emerging industry challenges and align with international best practices.
Responding, President of the World Maritime University, Prof. Mejia, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting member states through education, research and capacity development initiatives.
He commended Nigeria’s renewed focus on maritime development and expressed the university’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with NIWA and other relevant stakeholders to support the country’s maritime ambitions.
According to Mejia, sustainable growth in the maritime sector depends on sustained investments in human capital, innovation and strict compliance with international standards.
Both parties also explored opportunities to expand specialised training programmes, academic exchanges, and institutional partnerships to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime administration and inland waterways management framework.
Maritime stakeholders described the engagement as a significant step towards linking Nigeria’s inland waterways sector with global centres of excellence and ensuring the country benefits from international best practices in water transport development.
The meeting was part of a series of high-level engagements at the IMO Council session, where maritime leaders are discussing policies and initiatives to promote safer, more secure, and environmentally sustainable shipping worldwide.
