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| DG/CEO of Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola |
By Stella Okocha
Harboursandport.com:Lagos- August 28, 2025:The DG/CEO of Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, have commended the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria, MARAN, on their doggedness for once again bringing this issue of War Risk Insurance Premium to the fore, as this has become a topical issue bothering on national security and trade policies.
The DG who was represented by Mr. Victor Illo, Deputy Director, Reform Coordinating, Strategic Management/ Blue Economy, NIMASA, gave this remark during his goodwill message at the 3rd Maritime Annual lecture organized by Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria, MARAN, held on Wednesday at Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos.
He highlighted that Nigeria’s strategic geographical position in the Gulf of Guinea, exposes her to maritime insecurity driven by piracy, armed robbery and geographical conflicts leading to imposition of war risk insurance premiums.
Despite the challenge ,Significant progress has been made in securing Nigeria’s waters with no recorded piracy incidents in the last four (4) years; which has been attributed to: Nigeria’s Integrated Maritime Security Architecture known as the Deep Blue Project launched in 2021 with the deployment of maritime assets (land, sea, air and intelligence) to secure Nigeria’s waters.
The enactment of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Related Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act 2019, since the year 2020, which two major convictions of pirates have been secured by the Federal High Court under this legislation.
He added that Nigeria’s improved Maritime security led to its delisting by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) from their list of piracy-prone waters in 2021 and commendation by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Reinforcing this achievement, the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) removed Nigeria as a high-risk maritime zone in 2023.
He acknowledged that collaborations with other regional bodies contributed significantly in reduction of Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea waters.
While addressing the Implication of War Risk Insurance, WRI, for Nigeria, he pointed that despite the recorded milestones on improved Maritime Security, the impact of the war risk premium on the Nigerian economy has remained enormous, forcing Nigerian importers to pay over US $1.5 billion in WRI premiums over the past three years.
Speaking on the Burden of War Risks Insurance on Nigeria’s Maritime Trade.
he said, "the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIMASA have held diplomatic and stakeholder engagements with Chatham House, global shipping bodies such as BIMCO, developmental partners like the Danish government and International Maritime Organization (IMO), to discuss the strategic milestones recorded by Nigeria in driving maritime security and the need to leverage on them to remove the War Risk Insurance Premium on Nigerian cargo. Whilst these engagements are still on going, we remain focused on sustaining the recorded milestones."
"However, I must emphasise that the call for removal of War Risk Insurance Premium is a collective action that must not be left alone for government. I understand that the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) War Risks Clause for Voyage Charter Parties (VOYMAR) has undergone a significant revision in 2025, replacing the 2013 version that had been in use for over a decade, by providing clarity and balance in the additional premiums charged on war risk".
Dr Dayo therefore calls on Nigerian Shipowners, Charterers, Cargo owners and Legal practitioners to study the revised document and see how it can be adopted in charter party agreements to our benefit; also advised that all relevant stakeholders adhere to “The Best Management Practices for Maritime Security 2025 BMP5” to enhance their ability to understand, detect and deter security threats, as this will ultimately protect seafarers and promote safe and secure maritime operations.
Also speaking at the event was the Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC, Dr Akutah Pius Ukeyima, while delivering his goodwill message, stated that the theme of the lecture reflects a critical concern shared amongst industry stakeholders, government agencies and economic actors, who are burdened with the unjust persistent WRI premium, imposed on vessels calling at Nigeria ports , navigating the Gulf of Guinea, despite the remarkable progress in maritime security.
Dr Akutah, who was represented by the Director of Regulator Affairs of the Council, Mrs Margaret Ogbonna, highlighted that Nigeria has achieved a near-zero record of successful piracy attacks in its waters due to efforts by the Nigerian Navy, NIMASA, and strategic partnerships, including the Deep Blue Project.
While addressing the challenges faced by the Nigerian Maritime community, he said, " the position of NSC as the Port Economic Regulator and a strong advocate for the protection of shippers' interest, has consistently called for a review and removal of this WRI surcharge. It is our form belief that the continued imposition of these premiums is no longer justifiable, given the improved security metrics and Nigeria's demonstrable commitment to safe shipping ".
He added that NSC is working towards engaging with international underwriters, Lloyd's Market Association and P&I Clubs, to advocate for a data-driven reassessment of the risk status of Nigerian waters.
He acknowledged that the Council supports the ongoing discussions at ECOWAS, the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum (GOG-MCF /SHADE) and IMO platforms, aimed at securing recognition of Nigeria's security achievements and the need for a fairer treatment by the global shipping and insurance communities.
He encouraged the need for continued collaboration among government, the private sector, media, and international partners to achieve a cost-effective, secure, and competitive maritime sector in Nigeria.
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