NSML, Maritime Academy’s Partnership Will Boost Nigeria’s Global Seafarer Supply – Oyetola

The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has urged indigenous shipowners to emulate the example set by Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Ship Management Limited (NSML) by creating more sea-time opportunities for cadets of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (MAN).

Speaking at the induction ceremony of 30 MAN cadets onboard NSML vessels for sea-time training, the minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, said the collaboration between NLNG-NSML and MAN aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises job creation for Nigeria’s youthful population.

Represented by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Anastasia Ogbonna, the minister described the initiative as a strategic move to strengthen indigenous maritime capacity and position Nigeria as a supplier of globally competitive seafarers.

“There is no gainsaying that this perfectly aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which makes job creation a priority for the teeming population of young people in the country,” he said.

He noted that beyond capacity development, the initiative would help diversify the economy by promoting trade, eco-tourism, and safe water transportation.

“We therefore urge other shipowners to emulate what NLNG-NSML has done and provide sea-time opportunities to more cadets,” he added, while encouraging the cadets to serve as good ambassadors to motivate further industry support.

In his remarks, the acting rector of MAN, Drr Kevin Okonna, disclosed that the 30 newly inducted cadets would join 13 others earlier inducted on December 19, 2025, for onboard training under the NSML programme.

He revealed that the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has been informed of NSML’s contributions to seafarers’ training through Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative, with a live-stream link of the induction shared with the IMO.

According to him, the partnership assures the global maritime industry of Nigeria’s capacity and commitment to contributing quality seafarers to the sector.

“As we are all aware, seafarers bear the enormous responsibility of operating ships in tough sea environments and carry about 90 per cent of global trade. This responsibility underscores the importance of this day, where potential seafarers progress toward certification through onboard training on some of the best ships operated by an international company of high repute,” Okonna stated.

He urged the cadets to uphold the academy’s values of discipline, resilience, humility, leadership, and integrity, stressing that their success would contribute to reducing the global shortage of certified seafaring officers.

Earlier, the managing director/CEO of NSML, Abdul-Kadir Ahmed, described the human element as the most critical factor in maritime operations.

He recalled that in December 2025, NSML signed a strategic agreement with MAN to provide structured training for cadets through its Maritime Centre of Excellence.

“That decision was not accidental. It was a deliberate investment in people, the most critical element in maritime operations, and today we are witnessing the first fruits of that commitment,” Ahmed said.

He added that NSML has built a strong reputation as a leading maritime and shipping services provider in Nigeria and across Africa, with a proven track record of developing competent and globally competitive seafarers.

“This partnership with MAN strengthens that aspiration. It brings together two institutions that share a common philosophy: that the future of the maritime sector depends on how well we train, mentor, and empower young Nigerians,” he said.