The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dayo Mobereola, has spotlighted the success of 34 cadets from the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) who have now obtained their Certificates of Competency (CoC), positioning them as qualified professionals with International Oil Company (IOC)-level experience and readiness.
Speaking during an engagement with the newly certified seafarers in Lagos, Dr. Mobereola described them as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria, commending their resilience and professionalism after years of delay in securing sea-time training.
The milestone follows a targeted intervention by NIMASA to resolve long-standing challenges faced by NSDP beneficiaries. Under the initiative, a batch of 40 cadets was deployed in 2024 to Tyne Coast College, United Kingdom, for mandatory sea-time training and certification. Of this number, 34 successfully passed, acquiring the competence and exposure required to operate at global standards, including within IOC environments.
Dr. Mobereola noted that the achievement demonstrates the capacity of Nigerian seafarers to compete internationally when given the right opportunities. “You have weathered the storm; the future will be easier for you. We are proud of you,” he said.
He urged the certified officers to remain disciplined and committed to excellence, while also mentoring younger cadets entering the maritime profession. According to him, the Nigerian maritime sector stands to benefit significantly from their newly acquired expertise and global exposure.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Edet Uttibe Michael expressed appreciation to NIMASA for restoring their career paths. He recalled that many of them had remained without sea-time training for about eight years after graduating from maritime institutions in Romania.
With the successful certification of 34 cadets now equipped with CoC and industry-relevant experience, NIMASA’s intervention marks a major step toward closing Nigeria’s maritime skills gap and enhancing the global competitiveness of its seafaring workforce.
