Abuja MoU admits Mauritania, reappoints Umoren as Secretary-General
The Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Abuja MoU) has admitted the Islamic Republic of Mauritania as its 21st full member and reappointed Captain Sunday Umoren as Secretary-General for another four-year term.
Both decisions were reached at the organisation’s 15th Port State Control Committee and 3rd Bureau Meetings held in Conakry, Guinea, from October 6 to 10 2025.
The sessions brought together delegates from 16 member states, observer organisations, and international partners to review progress on ship inspections, safety standards, and environmental protection across the region.
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Adegboyega Oyetola, Nigeria’s minister of marine and blue economy, who chaired the Bureau session in his capacity as vice chairman of the Abuja MoU, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to safer and cleaner seas.
He urged member states to strengthen enforcement of maritime rules to prevent the region from becoming a dumping ground for substandard vessels.
Oyetola called on countries in the region to support the Secretariat financially and technically, noting that effective port state control is essential to unlocking the blue economy’s full potential.
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Member states endorsed new inspection focus areas on ballast water management for 2025 and cargo securing for 2026, and welcomed progress on the Near Coastal Voyage Code, which Mauritania has volunteered to translate into French for review by all members.
Delegates commended Captain Umoren for his leadership in strengthening regional partnerships and technical capacity, while the Bureau reaffirmed its commitment to deeper cooperation among West and Central African maritime administrations.
The next Abuja MoU meetings will be held in Gabon in 2026 and in Liberia in 2027.
