By AISHA COLE

President Bola Tinubu on Friday received the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, in Lagos, pledging continued commitment to Nigeria’s maritime development.

Tinubu, in a statement by Edward Osagie, the Deputy Director of Public Relations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to strengthen the maritime sector.

He described the sector as a strategic alternative to fossil energy and crucial to Nigeria’s long-term economic diversification and sustainable growth.

Tinubu highlighted the recent signing of the National Maritime Policy as a deliberate step to entrench global best practices and boost Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness.

In response, Dominguez commended Nigeria for notable achievements in maritime safety and security, particularly its efforts in curbing piracy within the Gulf of Guinea.

He pledged that the United Nations agency would continue to partner with Nigeria to sustain recent gains and build stronger capacity in the maritime industry.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, led the IMO delegation, alongside other senior maritime industry leaders.

The visit also featured the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Olufemi Oloruntola, and the heads of NIMASA, NPA, and NIWA. (NAN)

• PHOTO: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (3rd right); Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation, IMO, H.E. Arsenio Dominguez (4th left); Minister of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON (3rd right); Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola (2nd right; Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho (right); Managing Director/CEO, National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji (2nd left) and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Olufemi Oloruntola during a courtesy visit by the Secretary General of the IMO to the Nigerian President in Lagos.