The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced plans to replace foreign seafarers with qualified Nigerian seafarers. This initiative aims to enhance local employment opportunities and develop the maritime sector.
Speaking at the 2024 World Seafarers’ Day in Lagos, NIMASA’s Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, revealed that positions such as Ratings and Officer of the Watch will soon be designated as unavailable for foreign seafarers. However, some positions may still be open to foreigners based on merit.
Dr. Mobereola emphasized that NIMASA is collaborating with government agencies, including the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), to create job opportunities for local seafarers.
“Seafarers are the backbone of global trade,” Mobereola stated. “They brave challenging conditions, ensuring over 80% of the world’s trade reaches its destination.
Their dedication strengthens not only the international economy but, more importantly, the well-being of their home nation, Nigeria.”
He also acknowledged the significant challenges seafarers face, including war zones, piracy, and health risks. Mobereola called on all stakeholders, including the government, ship-owners, and NIMASA itself, to address these issues and prioritize seafarer welfare.
Dr. Mobereola highlighted NIMASA’s human capacity-building initiatives, which have trained and retrained Nigerian seafarers to acquire the necessary skills in line with industry needs. “We have prioritized training programmes and courses to enable seafarers to acquire relevant advanced certificates that will enhance their employment opportunities,” he said.
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NIMASA’s introduction of the New Cabotage Compliance Strategy on Manning has ensured that foreign Seafarer Ratings and some categories of officers onboard Cabotage vessels are replaced with qualified Nigerian seafarers.
Additionally, NIMASA is set to commence the third phase of the National Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), aiming to graduate 435 officers.
Many trainees are currently undergoing mandatory sea-time training on ocean-going vessels. Despite challenges in securing placements for these qualified seafarers, NIMASA is actively working to resolve this issue.
“The Agency is exploring avenues to create jobs for our seafarers, including collaborating with government agencies like the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS),” Mobereola reiterated.
