Nigeria, a country blessed with a strategic geographic location and abundant maritime resources, has not fully-harnessed its potential in the maritime sector. It has also not particularly not addressed the plight of its seafarers.
Last week, Nigeria joined the rest of the world to celebrate what has now become an annual ritual of the Seafarers’ Day.
The annual celebration actually started in 2010. It was in that year that the Diplomatic Conference which met in Manila, Philippines to adopt milestone revisions to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention) and its associated Code, also agreed that the unique contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole, should be marked annually with a ‘Day of the Seafarer’. The date chosen was June 25 of every year, which is the day on which the amendments were formally adopted.
According to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the objectives of the day include – increasing awareness among the general public of the indispensable services you render to international seaborne trade, the world economy and society at large. It’s also meant as a day to send a clear message to all seafarers that they are recognised and appreciated; that the world understands the extraordinary conditions and circumstances of seafaring, that the world cares about them and that they will be protected whenever the circumstances of life at sea so warrant.
Apart from the above, the World Seafarers’ Day is also set aside as a day to redouble efforts at the regulatory level to create a better, safer and more secure world for these professionals.
And back to Nigeria, where the day has always enjoyed prominence. We say that, irrespective of their current rating and travails within the nation’s maritime sector, Nigerian seafarers are arguably an important stakeholder. One can hardly forget how respectable it was to be a seafarer up till the mid-1990s; that was before the liquidation of the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL).
It is a fact that, Nigerian seafarers face a myriad of challenges, including unemployment, wage disparities, certification issues, and a embracing illegal activities such as bunkering, piracy, and theft.
Addressing these problems requires a comprehensive approach involving government intervention, policy reforms, industry collaboration, and international cooperation.
Unemployment is one of the most pressing issues faced by Nigerian seafarers. Despite the significant number of maritime training institutions in Nigeria, many graduates find it difficult to secure employment.
The reasons for this are multifaceted: The Nigerian maritime industry does not have enough vessels and top-rate shipping companies to absorb the growing number of trained seafarers. Many local shipping companies prefer to employ foreign seafarers due to perceived higher competency levels and reliability.
The economic challenges facing Nigeria, which include fluctuating crude oil prices and a volatile exchange rate, have adversely affected the maritime sector, leading to reduced investments and dwindling job opportunities.
There is a significant gap between the training provided by maritime institutions and the practical skills required by the industry. This mismatch results in Nigerian seafarers being less competitive compared to their foreign counterparts.
Nigerian seafarers often face wage disparities when compared to their foreign counterparts.
Several factors contribute to this issue. Some foreign shipping companies and even local companies exploit Nigerian seafarers by paying them significantly lower wages than they pay to foreign seafarers for the same job roles.
The maritime labour unions in Nigeria seems not to be as powerful or influential as they used to be or as those in other countries. This weak representation results in poor negotiation power for better wages and working conditions for Nigerian seafarers.
The general economic situation in Nigeria, including high unemployment rate and inflation, makes Nigerian seafarers more willing to accept lower wages, perpetuating the cycle of wage disparity.
Certification is another major hurdle for Nigerian seafarers. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) sets stringent standards for seafarer certification, and Nigerian seafarers often struggle to meet these requirements, due to inadequate training facilities. Many maritime training institutions in Nigeria lack the necessary infrastructure and equipment to provide training that meets international standards.
The process of obtaining and renewing certifications is often hampered by bureaucratic red tape and corruption, making it difficult for seafarers to maintain the required certifications.
Nigerian certificates are often not recognized internationally due to the perceived quality of training and adherence to international standards. This limits employment opportunities abroad.
The lack of employment opportunities and the associated economic hardships have driven many Nigerian seafarers to engage in illegal activities such as bunkering, piracy, and theft.
These activities are not only dangerous, but also tarnish the reputation of Nigerian seafarers and the maritime industry as a whole. Unemployed or poorly remunerated seafarers often engage in the illegal siphoning and sale of petroleum products from vessels, a lucrative but highly risky endeavor that has significant legal and environmental consequences.
The Gulf of Guinea has become a hotspot for piracy, with many Nigerian seafarers turning to these illegal activities out of desperation.
This, not only endangers lives, but also affects international shipping routes and trade. The dire economic situation forces many seafarers into illegal activities as a means of survival. The lack of adequate social security nets and alternative employment opportunities exacerbates this trend.
A lot of people have blamed the current travails of the Nigerian seafarer on government and by extension, NIMASA, which is the implementing agency for maritime labour.
Without mincing words, NIMASA has not done enough to boost the marketability of seafarers, this it would have done by ensuring that the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron, Akwa Ibom state is well-funded and its certificates competitive.
But rather than do this, it is funding some maritime institutes in universities and also sending young Nigerians to foreign maritime academies for training in nautical sciences and marine engineering, under the National Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP). A robust programme of sea time for graduating seafarers would have helped too.
The Nigerian seafarer is perhaps the most ‘unfortunate’ in Africa. While Nigeria prides itself as a maritime nation, it has no ships, except a handful of service and offshore crafts and old tankers.
Addressing the problems faced by Nigerian seafarers requires a multi-faceted approach. The Nigerian government must implement policies that promote the growth of the maritime industry and create more job opportunities for seafarers.
This includes investing in maritime infrastructure, providing incentives for local shipping companies to hire Nigerian seafarers, and strengthening regulatory frameworks to ensure fair wages and working conditions. Maritime training institutions must be upgraded to meet international standards, with a focus on practical skills and competencies.
Also, existing maritime schools in the country need to be strengthened and well-funded to provide quality education and training. Additionally, the process of obtaining and renewing certifications should be streamlined and made transparent to reduce bureaucracy and corruption.
The industry needs a stronger and more influential maritime labour union that won’t only threaten to go on strike and then back-out, and which can advocate for better wages and working conditions for Nigerian seafarers.
The union has a crucial role in negotiating with foreign shipping companies to ensure fair treatment of Nigerian seafarers. The government should create programmes to empower local shipowners, providing them with the necessary support and incentives to engage more Nigerian seafarers.
This can include financial assistance, tax breaks, and training programmes aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the local shipping industry. Nigeria should collaborate with international maritime organizations and nations to enhance the global recognition of its seafarers’ certifications and competencies. This can open up more employment opportunities for Nigerian seafarers on the international stage.
IIt is painful seeing trained seafarers wait endlessly for Certificates that will enable them secure employments. The question is: What really is the mandate of NIMASA?
It is a shame that Nigeria no longer parades world-class seafarers; she no longer owns high tonnage ships. But even if we no longer own ships, the abundance of budding and qualified seafarers should propel government to guarantee secured employment for them. This, in our opinion should be the essence of the ‘seafarers’ day’.
Providing a robust social security system and creating alternative employment opportunities can reduce the economic desperation that drives seafarers to illegal activities. Vocational training programmes and entrepreneurship initiatives can help seafarers transition to other industries.
The challenges faced by Nigerian seafarers are complex and multifaceted, requiring concerted efforts from the government, industry stakeholders, and international partners. By addressing unemployment, wage disparities, certification issues, and the turn to illegal activities, Nigeria can unlock the potential of its maritime sector and improve the livelihoods of its seafarers.
Strengthening and well-funding existing maritime schools, empowering shipowners to engage more seafarers, and a comprehensive and sustained approach are essential to ensuring that Nigerian seafarers can compete globally and contribute significantly to the nation’s economy.
Notwithstanding the apparent gloom, we join to celebrate the global seafarers’ day 2024, we join millions of users of the services of the world seafarers to say a very big thank you to all of them, because without them there can be no commerce!
