NIMASA, NUPRC pledge collaboration to boost regulation, investment

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have agreed to strengthen collaboration to enhance regulatory oversight and attract investment in two of the country’s most strategic sectors.

The commitment was highlighted in a statement on Sunday by NIMASA spokesperson Osagie Edward, following a working visit by the Agency’s Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, to NUPRC Chief Executive Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan and her management team at the commission’s Abuja headquarters.

During the meeting, both agencies emphasised that coordinated regulation is essential for improving ease of doing business, removing operational bottlenecks, and optimising federal revenues.

Discussions focused on practical measures to boost investor confidence across maritime transport and upstream oil and gas operations.

The regulators noted that fragmented oversight can delay project execution and increase compliance costs, stressing the need for harmonised processes where their mandates intersect. By aligning standards and enforcement approaches, they said Nigeria could unlock efficiencies, enhance regulatory certainty, and improve sector competitiveness.

NIMASA’s responsibilities—including promoting indigenous participation in international shipping and controlling marine pollution—were recognised as closely linked to NUPRC’s mandate to supervise upstream petroleum activities, enforce safety and environmental standards, and encourage investment in exploration and production.

Both agencies agreed that synchronising these roles would support safer offshore operations, stronger environmental protection, and more predictable regulatory outcomes for operators across maritime and upstream petroleum value chains.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepen inter-agency engagement as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s investment climate and ensure efficient revenue generation from key sectors of the economy.