Marine Ministry Reaffirms Anti-Corruption Drive at NIMASA Peer Review Conference
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs Fatima Mahmood, has restated the ministry’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability and operational efficiency across its agencies.
Mahmood made this known while declaring open the 6th Peer Review Conference of Chairpersons and Secretaries of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) of agencies under the ministry. She was represented at the Lagos event by the Deputy Director of Special Duties, Mrs Comfort Madichi, according to a statement issued by Osagie Edward, Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.
Describing the conference as a strategic platform, Mahmood said it provides room for institutional self-assessment, knowledge sharing and collaborative action aimed at strengthening the fight against corruption within the marine and blue economy sector.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, who was represented by the agency’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Mr Chudi Offodile, expressed delight at hosting the sixth edition of the ACTU Peer Review Conference.
Mobereola emphasised that the conference theme, “Advancing Ethical Reforms: Institutionalising Integrity and Sustained Ethical Governance,” reflects the pivotal role of ACTUs in driving organisational reforms and implementing preventive anti-corruption mechanisms.
According to him, ethical governance must be deliberate and system-driven, anchored on strengthened internal controls, reinforced accountability structures and the effective use of technology to block leakages and improve service delivery.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), who was represented by the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for Lagos State, Mr Alexander Chukwurah, commended agencies under the ministry for embracing the peer-review framework.
He noted that such collaborative evaluation mechanisms are critical to institutionalising integrity, enhancing compliance with ethical standards and sustaining public trust in the maritime sector.
The conference brought together key stakeholders across agencies in the marine and blue economy space, reinforcing the ministry’s broader reform agenda aimed at entrenching transparency and strengthening governance structures within the industry.
