By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration has taken a firm stance on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s (NIMASA) 2026 budget, demanding clear performance targets, transparency, and measurable results.
During the budget defence session, Committee Chairman, Khadija Abba-Ibrahim, warned that opacity and weak performance would no longer be tolerated—not just from NIMASA but also the Maritime Academy of Nigeria.
She stressed that agency heads must take full responsibility for their projections, plans, and outcomes, describing the exercise as more than routine oversight but a critical accountability test.
NIMASA, in its proposal, projected a gross revenue of about N724 billion for 2026, with expenditures covering recurrent costs, capital projects, maritime security, seafarers’ development, and infrastructure upgrades.
Abba-Ibrahim acknowledged the agency’s strategic role in protecting Nigeria’s waters and supporting maritime trade but insisted that performance must match expectations.
“This is an opportunity to clearly present your 2026 roadmap and address key issues—from maritime insecurity to operational efficiency,” she said.
Lawmakers demanded detailed, data-driven submissions on safety programmes, human capital development, revenue strategies, and ongoing projects, stressing that every allocation must deliver tangible value.
In response, NIMASA Director-General, Dayo Mobereola, highlighted ongoing reforms, including the full automation of operations and revenue collection through the MOKOSA platform aimed at blocking leakages and improving accountability.
He also disclosed that the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), relaunched in January, has already attracted about 60 applications, with a stricter, bank-driven system introduced to ensure transparency and sustainability.
Mobereola further pointed to Nigeria’s return to the International Maritime Organization council after 14 years as a major milestone for the sector.Despite these assurances, some lawmakers questioned the timing of the 2026 proposal, noting the absence of a comprehensive review of the agency’s 2025 performance.
The committee, however, made its position clear—future approvals will depend on transparency, accountability, and real impact on Nigeria’s maritime sector.
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