President Mummadu Buhari will on April 20 meet African maritime leaders under the aegis of Association of African Maritime Administration (AAMA), to brainstorm on ways in which Africa can come together to maximize the economic opportunities of the continent’s large ocean.

The meeting would be part of the third edition of AAMA conference being organised by Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in conjunction with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), attracting over 32 African countries, as well as other maritime countries across the globe with representative from IMO and major shipping line operators.

Buhari who approved the participation of Nigeria through NIMASA in the IMO council election coming later in the year, would address the conference on certain policy directions of his administration as it concerned the maritime industry. The President would also unveil the new NIMASA, brand during the three-day event.

The conference would also feature the Secretary General of IMO, Mr. Kitack Lim, Chief Executive Officer of South African Maritime and Safety Agency (SAMSA), Sobaitu Tilayi, Malaysian Maritime Authority and European maritime association.

On the sidelines of the conference, NIMASA would hold strategic sessions to garner support for Nigeria’s bid for category “C” seat on the council of IMO.

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The council is the highest decision making body of the IMO and Nigeria’s participation would add value to the economy through participation in critical decision making sessions on global maritime affairs.

Nigeria controlled the highest cargo throughout in the West and Central African regions with over 200 million metric tonnes of cargo annually and more than 6000 ocean going vessels calling at her ports yearly, sitting on the council would reinforce the country’s leading role in the maritime industry in Africa.

AAMA was formed following the signing of the African Transport and Maritime Charter in 2012 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and the aim of the association was to promote the development of Africa’s maritime regulatory and maritime environment.

The association is an umbrella body of the Association of Maritime Administrations of Africa, Africa’s Ship Registry Forum, African Ship Owners Association and Africa Shippers’ Council and Seafarers’ Forum.