Shagari Meets World Maritime University President at IMO Council Session in London, Seeks Stronger Maritime Capacity PartnershipsFrom Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) His Excellency Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, has held a high level meeting with the President of the World Maritime University, Maximo Q. Mejia Jr., on the sidelines of the ongoing IMO Council Meeting in London.
The meeting, which brought together key stakeholders in the global maritime sector, focused on strengthening cooperation in maritime education, inland waterways development, capacity building, and sustainable transportation systems.
Shagari emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to modernizing its inland waterways infrastructure and enhancing human capital development in line with international best practices.
He noted that the country possesses enormous potential in water transportation and blue economy development, stressing that strategic partnerships with global maritime institutions remain critical to unlocking these opportunities.
According to him, the Federal Government has continued to prioritize reforms aimed at improving safety, efficiency and economic activities along the nation’s inland waterways.
The NIWA Governing Board Chairman said collaboration with leading maritime academic institutions would help equip Nigerian professionals with the technical expertise required to meet emerging challenges in the sector.
He also highlighted the importance of knowledge exchange, research collaboration and professional training in advancing Nigeria’s maritime aspirations.
Professor Mejia, in his remarks, reaffirmed the commitment of the World Maritime University to supporting member states through education, research and capacity development initiatives.
He commended Nigeria’s growing interest in strengthening its maritime sector and expressed readiness to explore areas of mutual cooperation with relevant institutions in the country.
The WMU President observed that sustainable maritime growth depends largely on investment in human resources, innovation and adherence to international standards.
Both leaders discussed opportunities for expanding educational programmes, specialised training and institutional linkages capable of supporting the long-term development of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
Industry observers described the engagement as a significant step towards deepening international cooperation and positioning Nigeria to benefit from global expertise in maritime administration and inland waterways management.
The meeting formed part of a series of strategic engagements taking place during the IMO Council session, where maritime leaders from across the world are deliberating on policies aimed at promoting safe, secure and environmentally sustainable shipping operations.
Analysts say the interaction between Shagari and Professor Mejia reflects Nigeria’s determination to strengthen its presence within the global maritime community while leveraging international partnerships to accelerate growth in the nation’s waterways and transportation sector.
