Nigeria, Ghana Ink Historic MoU on Seafarer Certification and Maritime Security

Nigeria and Ghana have formalised a pivotal bilateral agreement aimed at streamlining maritime operations and strengthening regional integration, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the mutual recognition of Seafarers' Certificates of Competency (CoC).

The agreement was executed by Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and Ghana’s Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, during a high-level bilateral meeting focused on deepening maritime sector collaboration between the two West African nations.

Speaking after the signing, Minister Oyetola underscored the transformative potential of the MoU, stating it would facilitate the seamless recognition of certified seafarers from both countries. This mutual recognition, he noted, will significantly expand employment prospects and ease the movement of skilled maritime professionals across the sub-region.

Beyond certification, Oyetola further emphasised that the pact extends to critical areas of joint cooperation, including maritime security, safety protocols, training, institutional capacity building, technical exchange, and the implementation of international maritime conventions. 

Describing the partnership as a historic milestone, Oyetola reiterated that the agreement represents a renewed commitment to fostering safer, more resilient, and more efficient shipping operations within the strategically vital Gulf of Guinea, paving the way for a more interconnected maritime industry in West Africa.