FG Urged To Invest in Seafarers’ Development
The Federal Government has been urged to establish a comprehensive National Seafarers Development Strategy aimed at strengthening maritime education, sea-time training, certification, welfare and leadership development in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The call was made by Ambassador Ladi Olubowale, United Kingdom Ambassador of the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), as part of activities marking the 2026 Day of the Seafarer.
Olubowale, a former President of the African Shipowners Association (ASA), said deliberate investment in seafarers and maritime professionals was essential to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy.
He noted that Nigeria’s ambition to become a leading maritime nation in Africa would depend not only on port infrastructure, ships and policies, but also on the quality and capacity of its maritime workforce.
“No maritime nation has ever achieved maritime greatness without investing in its seafarers. The future of Nigeria’s Blue Economy will not be determined solely by the ships we acquire, the ports we modernise, or the policies we formulate, but by the people we train, protect, empower and elevate to leadership within the maritime sector,” Olubowale stated.
He stressed that seafarers remain central to global trade, with more than 80 per cent of international commerce transported by sea, yet their contributions often receive limited recognition.
According to him, countries such as Norway, Singapore, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Denmark and the Netherlands attained maritime excellence through sustained investment in maritime education, professional training and human capital development.
Olubowale said Nigeria’s Blue Economy ambitions would require a strong pool of skilled professionals across various maritime fields, including shipping, fisheries, marine logistics, offshore energy, coastal tourism, marine technology and maritime security.
He called for the modernisation of maritime training institutions, expansion of simulation facilities, improved certification systems, updated training curricula and stronger partnerships between educational institutions and industry players.
The maritime expert also identified the shortage of sea-time training opportunities for cadets as a major challenge limiting the development of indigenous maritime manpower.
He urged the government and stakeholders to prioritise indigenous shipping development, noting that local fleet expansion and ship ownership would create employment opportunities, improve sea-time access for young professionals and encourage technology transfer.
Beyond professional training, Olubowale advocated improved welfare packages for Nigerian seafarers, including fair employment conditions, timely payment of wages, healthcare services, mental health support, career progression opportunities and retirement benefits.
He described Nigerian seafarers working on merchant vessels, tankers, offshore support vessels, container ships, fishing fleets and other maritime platforms around the world as valuable national assets contributing to economic growth, trade development and energy security.
Olubowale further called for policies that would support experienced seafarers transitioning into leadership roles as maritime administrators, regulators, port managers, educators and Blue Economy strategists.
He said greater involvement of maritime professionals in decision-making processes would strengthen policy implementation, regulatory effectiveness and Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global maritime industry.
