Tinubu Mulls Appointment Of Prof. Sule As Next NIMASA DG

Magaji Says he is fit for the job

Sequel to Prof Sule Abiodun being considered for the coveted job of Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Professor Yusuf Magaji has described the maritime expert as fit for the responsibility.

Magaji also noted that, while Sule is the best man for the job, the Presidency should overlook and dismiss spurious charges made against the knowledgeable marine specialist, despite the fact that he has never been invited or indicted by any security or financial institution.

According to his credentials, Sule will reposition the industry and help build a more robust and impressive agency aimed at recovering Nigeria’s pride of place in the international community.

According to Professor Magaji, Sule possesses two PhDs, one in Maritime Technology Management and one in Fisheries and Aquaculture. 

The eminent Professor additionally holds a Master of Public Administration degree as well as a number of professional credentials, including a Marine Navigation Certificate and a Joint Scandinavian Surveyor Certificate.

He stated that the marine expert’s qualifications also include a difficult MSc degree in marine (Nautical Science) from WMU Malmoe, Sweden, received in December 1994. He was supported in 1991 by The IMO, European Union, and the then Nigeria National Maritime Authority (NMA).

Sule, as an IMO Scholar with over 110 publications and textbooks to his name, will be in a position to assist Nigeria in moving into Category C, which has long eluded the country due to non-implementation of Conventions to which Nigeria is a party.

“If approved by the President, Sule’s proposed agenda will include a focus on strengthening key sectors of the maritime industry, Manpower Development in Nigeria by conserving scarce forex, Flag State and Port State management, Marine Environmental Management based on the MARPOL Convention 1973 as Amended, and Cabotage drives for better IGR; while aiming to improve existing aquaculture programs, particularly in the marine culture and freshwater domains, and revitalising Deep Sea aquaculture.”

According to Magaji, who claims to have known Sule, he plans to work with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) to install innovative post-harvest technologies like the Thiaroye smoking kiln to reduce post-harvest losses among fishermen.

His agenda also includes the second phase of Fisheries National Stock Assessments, which will analyse species availability and health conditions in Nigerian coastal waters.

In addition, he intends to revive dormant Artisanal fisheries training programs and assemble correct data on Fisheries Artisans and Marine fishing to establish their economic contributions.

Prof. Abiodun Sule is the Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research, which is based in Lagos. He is a licensed Marine Captain and an excellent maritime expert. 

He recently led a team of six scientists from West African countries to the sea to collect and analyse data on the health of Nigeria’s ocean and brackish waters as part of a program supported by POGO, Namibia.

His professional career has been defined by significant achievements, and he served as the Provost of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Victoria Island, Lagos, from January 1, 2014 to 2019, where he obtained all accreditations for Nautical Science and other core programs and mounted Maritime Technology programs at both the National Diploma and Higher National Levels. 

Surprisingly, as Provost/CEO, he was also teaching Navigation Principles, Practical Navigation, and Safety at Sea.

He was previously the Deputy Provost for Academics and Chief Lecturer in the College’s Nautical Science Department.

Prior to joining the Marine College, he worked for Shell Petroleum for over a decade, supervising crude oil loading and handling on L1, L2, and VLCC tankers. 

He is a Marine Simulation expert who has been asked to help reorganise the Nautical Science Department at Nigeria’s sole Marine University.