Samson Echenim 
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has engaged with the National Association of Nigerian Maritime Students (NANMS) who staged a peaceful protest at the agency’s headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos on April 24, 2025, over lack of sea-time training, poor cadet welfare and general disregard for maritime students in Nigeria.
NANMS President, Comr Omotayo Temitope said the protest was driven by years of neglect, limited opportunities for sea-time training, poor cadet welfare, lack of post-academic engagement, and the general disregard for maritime students and their future within the industry.
During the peaceful demonstration, Temitope, alongside two representatives from the South-South zone, were invited for a dialogue session with the Executive Director of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Mr. Jubril Abba, and other departmental heads at NIMASA.
In the meeting, the protesting cadets laid bare the pressing challenges faced by maritime students. They named lack of sea-time training and cadetship opportunities, which NIMASA acknowledged and informed the students that a law was being eenacted to mandate every vessel operating in Nigerian waters to accept at least two cadets on board.
“We were assured that this initiative would be fully implemented before the end of the year, with compliance from all shipowners,” Temitope said.
The cadets also pressed for the funding of the Nigerian Seafarer Development Programme (NSDP) to be transfered to local maritime training institutions. However,, responding to this demand, NIMASA advised that school managements should formally request for training vessels and necessary equipment, which the agency would consider in its strategic development plans.
Regarding the delays in issuance of mandatory certifications, the agency revealed there is a technical glitch with their systems, but assured that this would be resolved within two weeks.
“The agency expressed its commitment to improving welfare standards and shared that an MOU has been signed with 16 countries to enable global recognition of Nigerian maritime certifications, thereby opening more international opportunities for Nigerian cadets and seafarers,” said Temitope.
The students further advocated for scholarship programmes, recognition of top-performing students, and sustainable job opportunities beyond ceremonial acknowledgments. The agency received these suggestions positively and promised to review and incorporate them into future programs.
“We appreciate the willingness of NIMASA to engage in constructive dialogue and their commitments to resolving these issues. However, NANMS will continue to monitor the implementation of these resolutions closely and ensure that promises made are fulfilled,” the NANMS president noted.
