Segun Atanda/
In a strategic move to bolster Nigeria’s maritime governance and deepen its blue economy ambitions, a high-powered delegation from Nigeria’s National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) embarked on a study tour of the Philippines, hosted by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) on May 27, 2025.
The visit marked a milestone in intercontinental policy exchange, with the Philippines spotlighted as one of seven global leaders in maritime governance and strategic policymaking. The tour aimed to expose Nigerian policymakers to successful frameworks in maritime policy, environmental protection, and sustainable marine development.
Welcoming the delegation at the MARINA Central Office in Manila, Ms. Precila Jara, Director of the Overseas Shipping Service, stressed the value of international collaboration in securing resilient maritime futures. She underlined President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to position the maritime sector as a cornerstone of national economic resilience.
The presentation by Ms. Rubina Badoy, MARINA’s Planning Officer V and Chief Ship Operations Specialist, highlighted the agency’s efforts in aligning with international maritime conventions—including MARPOL 73/78—and preparations for the implementation of the International Maritime Organization’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy.
Leading the Nigerian delegation, DIG Adeleye Olusola Oyebade praised the Philippines for its hospitality and innovation. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s drive toward evidence-based policymaking and identified the blue economy as a new frontier for national development.
The visit concluded with a pledge from both countries to pursue deeper cooperation and forge enduring partnerships in maritime development.
