By Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), 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 brought together key stakeholders in the global maritime sector to discuss stronger cooperation in maritime education, inland waterways development, capacity building and sustainable transportation systems.
In a statement issued on Monday in Sokoto, Shagari reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to modernising its inland waterways infrastructure and strengthening human capital development in line with international best practices.
He said Nigeria has enormous potential in water transportation and the blue economy, stressing that strategic partnerships with leading global maritime institutions are essential to unlocking these opportunities.
According to him, the Federal Government has continued to implement reforms aimed at improving safety, operational efficiency and economic activities along the country’s inland waterways.
Shagari noted that collaboration with world-class maritime academic institutions would help equip Nigerian professionals with the technical skills required to address emerging challenges in the sector.
He also emphasised the importance of knowledge exchange, research collaboration and professional training in advancing Nigeria’s maritime ambitions.
In his remarks, Prof. Mejia reaffirmed the World Maritime University’s commitment to supporting member states through education, research and capacity development initiatives.
He commended Nigeria’s growing efforts to strengthen its maritime sector and expressed the university’s readiness to deepen cooperation with relevant institutions in the country.
The WMU President added that sustainable maritime development depends largely on investment in human capital, innovation and strict adherence to international standards.
Both leaders explored opportunities to expand educational programmes, specialised training and institutional partnerships to support the long-term growth of Nigeria’s maritime 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 was one of several strategic engagements taking place during the IMO Council session, where maritime leaders from around the world are discussing policies to promote safe, secure and environmentally sustainable shipping.
Analysts said the interaction between Shagari and Prof. Mejia underscores Nigeria’s determination to strengthen its role in the global maritime community while leveraging international partnerships to accelerate the development of its waterways and transportation sector.
