NIMASA Says New Maritime Labour E-Platform Will Boost Sector Competitiveness


The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing efficiency and global competitiveness in the maritime sector with the rollout of its new Maritime Labour E-Platform. The Agency expressed this optimism during a sensitization workshop held in Lagos for users of the portal.

The workshop featured hands-on demonstrations on how to register, verify, and issue identity cards to seafarers and dockworkers through the NIMASA portal. Participants also received guidance on cybersecurity measures, training support, and the Agency’s phased implementation plan aimed at ensuring seamless nationwide adoption of the platform.

According to Mr. Jibril Abba, Executive Director for Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services at NIMASA, the introduction of the digital system represents a strategic advancement aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage. This message was delivered on his behalf by the Director of the Maritime Labour Services Department, Mr. Ibrahim Umar Sidi.

q “Our digital transformation is underway. This year we launched the Maritime Labour E-Platform, building on our 2022 dockworkers' registration success. It is a modern, integrated system for registering and verifying seafarers, dockworkers, employers and other stakeholders.”


He further explained that by centralizing registration and issuing secure biometric identity cards, the platform will eliminate paperwork, reduce processing delays, and provide reliable real-time data essential for regulatory compliance. According to him, this innovation strengthens Nigeria’s ability to meet its obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, widely regarded as the “Seafarers’ Bill of Rights.”

Mr. Abba added that the initiative aligns fully with the Agency’s mandate as outlined in Section 27(1)(a) of the NIMASA Act 2007, which empowers the Agency to maintain a comprehensive register of all maritime workers and operators in the country.

The Federal Government officially unveiled the Maritime Labour E-Platform during the 2025 Day of the Seafarer celebration held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. At the launch, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, described the platform as “a transformative tool for labour administration” and a major step toward building a smarter, transparent, and more efficient maritime industry.

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