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By Tracy Moses
The House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration has queried the 2026 budget proposal of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), which projects a revenue target of N724 billion.
Lawmakers raised concerns over transparency, performance benchmarks, and the timing of the proposal, warning that weak accountability and opacity would no longer be tolerated.
Chairman of the Committee, Khadija Abba-Ibrahim, made the position known during the agency’s budget defence session, stressing that heads of agencies must take full responsibility for their projections, plans, and performance outcomes.
“This is not just a routine exercise,” she said. “It is a critical accountability test. Heads of agencies must take ownership of their projections and be ready to defend their performance.”
While acknowledging the strategic role of NIMASA in safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial waters and facilitating maritime trade, Abba-Ibrahim insisted that commendation must be backed by measurable outcomes.
“We recognise the importance of NIMASA, but commendation alone is not enough. There must be clear, measurable results that justify every allocation,” she stated.
She added that the session provided an opportunity for the agency to clearly outline its 2026 roadmap and address key concerns.
“This engagement should address pressing issues, maritime insecurity, capacity development, and operational efficiency. Nigerians expect to see impact,” she said.
The committee also demanded detailed, data-driven submissions covering maritime safety programmes, human capital development, revenue optimisation strategies, and the status of ongoing and proposed capital projects.
Describing the maritime sector as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy, the lawmakers emphasised that every budgetary allocation must translate into tangible value.
“Every naira appropriated must deliver value, strengthening security, boosting indigenous shipping capacity, and driving sustainable economic growth,” Abba-Ibrahim added.
The committee reaffirmed its readiness to support reforms aimed at repositioning the sector but warned that future approvals would depend strictly on transparency, performance, and impact.
“We are ready to support reforms, but let it be clear, future approvals will be tied to performance, transparency, and verifiable results,” she said.
Defending the proposal, Director-General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, said the agency has commenced full automation of its operations and revenue collection systems in 2025 following approval by the Federal Executive Council.
“We have begun full automation of our operations and revenue collection systems. This is a major step towards blocking leakages and improving efficiency,” Mobereola said.
He explained that the initiative is driven by the MOKOSA platform, designed to ensure transparency in revenue remittance.
“We are not just digitising operations; we are securing revenue and enforcing accountability across the board,” he added.
On the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), Mobereola disclosed that the scheme was relaunched in January and has already attracted about 60 applications from indigenous shipping firms.
“The CVFF has been restructured with a stricter, bank-driven framework. Financial institutions will assess risks and guarantee repayment before disbursement. This ensures discipline and sustainability,” he explained.
He added that efforts to empower local shipowners would gain momentum under the new structure.
“We are committed to supporting indigenous operators with access to vessels and critical materials. This reform will drive real growth in the sector,” he said.
Mobereola also highlighted Nigeria’s return to the council of the International Maritime Organization after 14 years, describing it as a strategic milestone.
“This development strengthens Nigeria’s voice in global maritime policymaking and positions us better internationally,” he noted.
Despite the assurances, some lawmakers questioned the timing of the 2026 budget proposal.
“It is difficult to consider a new budget without a comprehensive review of the 2025 performance. We need to see what has been achieved before approving new projections,” one lawmaker said