Efforts to reposition Nigeria as a maritime powerhouse received a significant boost on Friday, October 3, 2025, as the University of Lagos (UNILAG) welcomed the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Domínguez, to its Akoka campus.
Mr. Domínguez’s visit to UNILAG formed part of his first official tour of West Africa since assuming office. He was accompanied by Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, CON; Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Executive Secretary/CEO) of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, MON; among others.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & Research), Professor Bola Oboh, described the visit as a milestone in the university’s growing international recognition. She highlighted the university’s longstanding commitment to developing industry-ready talent and advancing maritime research.
She stated, “The Institute of Maritime Studies was established in response to NIMASA’s call for stronger university-industry collaboration to build maritime manpower for Nigeria and the African continent. Over 2,000 students have graduated, and more than 400 are currently enrolled in our postgraduate programmes, spanning Maritime Administration, Hydrographic Surveying, Logistics, Marine Communications, and Environmental Studies.”
Professor Oboh expressed appreciation to NIMASA for donating the building that houses the Institute and called for deeper engagement with the IMO to facilitate modern research tools and globally recognized certification pathways for students.
Federal Government Affirms UNILAG’s Role in Blue Economy Agenda
Addressing the university community during the high-level visit, Mr. Oyetola declared the maritime sector as the country’s “next economic frontier,” emphasizing its potential to surpass oil and gas in national revenue generation.
According to the Minister, government sees education and youth empowerment as key drivers of economic transformation within the blue economy. He encouraged students to explore career pathways across the maritime value chain, including shipping, logistics, offshore energy, fisheries, and marine innovation.
Mr. Oyetola, a distinguished alumnus of the University, lauded the University of Lagos for its pioneering role in maritime education, particularly through its Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS). He praised the work being done at the Institute, describing it as a blueprint for national academic-industry synergy.
He assured the university community of the Ministry’s continued support for research, innovation, and infrastructure that advance maritime capacity-building across the country.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, who also part of the visiting delegation, reiterated his agency’s dedication to deepening relationship with the nation’s universities. According to him, the Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS) at UNILAG is one of six such centres across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones created to close the maritime skills gap and align training with international benchmarks.
Dr. Mobereola explained that collaboration with institutions like UNILAG remained central to NIMASA’s strategy to develop a globally competitive maritime workforce.
His words, “UNILAG is a notable brand and I can assure you all that it is central to NIMASA’s agenda for producing a new generation of maritime professionals equipped to compete globally”.
As part of his itinerary, Mr. Domínguez had earlier visited the Western Naval Command in Apapa, where he boarded Nigeria’s flagship naval vessel, the NNS Aradu. He also toured the NIMASA Resource Centre before proceeding to the university.
At the University, Mr. Domínguez delivered a message of strong optimism about Nigeria’s maritime future, noting that strategic investments in education and innovation will be key drivers of success. He praised UNILAG for its commitment to building technical competence and advancing research capacity in the sector.
The Secretary-General was led on a tour of the Institute’s newly completed (4) four-storey building and its modern laboratories by the Director of IMS, Professor Mary Odukoya. He also engaged with faculty and students on topical issues including smart port development, marine environmental protection, logistics innovation, and sustainable blue economy strategies.
New IMS Building: Enhancing Capacity for Maritime Excellence
The new IMS building, donated by NIMASA, is a purpose-built facility designed to support maritime research, training, and policy development. Key features include:
Ground Floor: located on this floor are the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Simulator and computer rooms for practical training in maritime communication and navigation.
First Floor: is home to a state-of-the-art Environmental Laboratory equipped with a fume cupboard and a Microwave Digester, a rare high-precision instrument for rapid digestion of soils, rocks, food, and plant samples.
UNILAG is currently the only Nigerian university with this advanced digestion technology, which complements the Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (MPAES) in the central laboratory. These facilities will significantly enhance marine pollution research and monitoring.
Second Floor: Contains classrooms (each with 60-seat capacity) and a seminar room, to host academic lectures and stakeholder workshops.
Third Floor: Provides academic offices and a boardroom, supporting administrative functions and policy engagement.
Amenities: Each floor is equipped with male and female restrooms for staff and students.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Ayo Oloyede
