By Headlinenews.News Political & Maritime Affairs Desk
July 2, 2025 | Abuja
Leadership Anchored in Vision: NIMASA Welcomes New Board Chairman
In a significant move aimed at reinforcing Nigeria’s maritime reform agenda, Alhaji Yusuf Hamisu Mai Rago has been officially inaugurated as the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). The inauguration ceremony was held in Abuja at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and presided over by the Honourable Minister, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola.
Alhaji Mai Rago, a seasoned administrator and grassroots political leader from Kaduna State, now assumes a key role in overseeing the strategic direction and corporate governance of NIMASA, one of Nigeria’s most pivotal regulatory agencies in maritime security, shipping administration, and international maritime compliance.
NIMASA: An Institution at the Heart of Nigeria’s Blue Economy
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) was established under the NIMASA Act of 2007. Its statutory mandate includes:
- Maritime safety and security
- Maritime labor regulation
- Shipping development
- Marine pollution control
- Administration of the Cabotage Act
NIMASA plays a critical role in the protection and exploitation of Nigeria’s 853 km coastline, 12 major seaports, and its $2 billion maritime economy, which is projected to be a core driver of Nigeria’s Blue Economy—a concept that aims to sustainably harness ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and ecosystem preservation.
A Reform-Oriented Appointment
The inauguration of Alhaji Mai Rago aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed commitment to good governance, transparency, and strategic sectoral leadership. Minister Oyetola, during the ceremony, emphasized the need for visionary oversight in actualizing the full potential of the maritime sector.
“The maritime industry is central to Nigeria’s economic recovery plan. We must institutionalize best practices, enforce regulatory compliance, and expand maritime safety protocols,”
— Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine & Blue Economy
With over 70% of Nigeria’s import and export trade conducted via the sea, effective governance of NIMASA is essential to reducing port inefficiencies, tackling piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, and growing local shipping capacity under the Cabotage regime.
Profile: Alhaji Yusuf Hamisu Mai Rago
Alhaji Yusuf Hamisu Mai Rago brings to NIMASA a wealth of experience in grassroots governance, inter-governmental relations, and public accountability. A well-respected statesman from the Northwestern region of Nigeria, he previously served in various political and administrative capacities, earning a reputation for discipline, inclusive governance, and strategic thinking.
As a former gubernatorial candidate in Kaduna State and a leader known for youth empowerment and public sector innovation, Mai Rago’s appointment is seen as a bridge between regional stakeholders and national development goals.
He is also deeply committed to inter-agency collaboration, with a clear understanding of how maritime policy intersects with national security, trade logistics, and economic diversification—especially under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Sectoral Expectations: Charting a New Course
NIMASA has made strides in recent years, including:
- The acquisition and deployment of the Deep Blue Project assets to combat maritime crime
- Implementation of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) for indigenous shipowners
- Automation of registration and certification systems
- However, persistent challenges remain:
- Bureaucratic bottlenecks
- Inadequate port infrastructure
- Limited enforcement of local content laws
- Revenue leakages
Alhaji Mai Rago is expected to bring strategic oversight, political will, and reform coordination to the Board’s mandate—ensuring synergy between NIMASA, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Navy, and international bodies like the IMO.
Conclusion: A New Phase for Maritime Governance
The inauguration of Alhaji Yusuf Hamisu Mai Rago comes at a pivotal time. With global attention shifting towards sustainability, marine security, and ocean-based economies, NIMASA’s leadership must now rise to the occasion.
Alhaji Mai Rago’s emergence signals a renewed focus on strategic governance, stakeholder inclusivity, and measurable impact. The maritime sector is no longer peripheral—it is central to Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda, and with the right leadership at the helm, the tide is turning in the right direction.
Key Maritime Facts
- Nigeria loses an estimated $7 billion annually to maritime-related leakages and inefficiencies
- The Gulf of Guinea accounts for over 95% of global piracy cases between 2015 and 2022
- NIMASA remitted over ₦135 billion to the Federation Account in 2024
- Nigeria’s Blue Economy is estimated at over $296 billion potential value.
Conclusion: A New Phase for Maritime Governance
The inauguration of Alhaji Yusuf Hamisu Mai Rago comes at a pivotal time. With global attention shifting towards sustainability, marine security, and ocean-based economies, NIMASA’s leadership must now rise to the occasion.
Alhaji Mai Rago’s emergence signals a renewed focus on strategic governance, stakeholder inclusivity, and measurable impact. The maritime sector is no longer peripheral—it is central to Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda, and with the right leadership at the helm, the tide is turning in the right direction.
“Nigeria’s economic future is tied to the oceans. Strategic leadership at NIMASA must now match the scale of opportunity within the Blue Economy. Alhaji Mai Rago has the task of steering Nigeria’s maritime vision from potential to prosperity.”
— Dr. G. Fraser, MFR, Governance & Perception Management Consultant
Headlinenews.news congratulates the new NIMASA chairman
Headlinenews.news Special report.
© Headlinenews.News 2025. All Rights Reserved.
