Nigerian Master Mariners have raised alarm over the continued neglect of Nigerian seafarers despite their pivotal role in sustaining the nation’s economy and facilitating global trade.
The call was made during the Quarterly Meeting and Paper Presentation of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) in Lagos over the weekend.
Delivering a paper at the event, a seasoned Mariner and Researcher, Dr. (Captain) Rasheed Onakoya lamented that the welfare of Nigerian seafarers remains largely superficial, with many still battling poor working conditions, irregular payment of wages, inadequate healthcare, and arbitrary dismissals. He described the situation as a glaring contradiction to international labour standards.
According to Dr. Onakoya, while seafarers are central to the operation of global shipping and trade, the lack of structured welfare and recognition in Nigeria continues to discourage young professionals and undermine the country’s maritime competitiveness. He attributed the persistent challenges facing seafarers to policy inconsistencies, weak enforcement of labour laws, and corruption within the maritime sector.
To remedy the situation, Dr. Onakoya urged government and regulatory agencies to prioritize the inclusion of maritime professionals in policy-making positions, strengthen enforcement of labour standards, and foster greater collaboration between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), shipping companies, and labour unions.
He also called for sustained investment in maritime education, professional certification, and institutional reforms that align with international best practices.
“We cannot continue to pay lip service to the welfare of those who drive our maritime economy. It is disheartening that Nigeria has yet to fully implement the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) and related international frameworks that guarantee decent working and living conditions for seafarers. If we truly value the role of seafarers, their welfare must reflect it—beyond slogans and speeches,” Dr Onakoya emphasized.
Also speaking, another Master Mariner; Dr. Amos Kuje called for stronger commitment to the welfare of seafarers and full implementation of the MLC 2006, emphasizing that the emotional and physical well-being of those working at sea directly impacts their performance, safety, and efficiency.
Dr. Kuje noted that despite seafarers’ vast experience and exposure to welfare centres around the world, there remains a critical need to reflect on why seafarers’ welfare matters and how the MLC 2006 continues to shape global standards for their protection.
According to him, neglecting seafarers’ welfare has far-reaching consequences, as studies show that poor working and living conditions can lead to a destructive cycle of vulnerability. Citing research by the late Reverend Kennan Peter of the Mission to Seafarers, Dr. Kuje explained that vulnerability is “a state of emotional exposure that begins with the possibility of being hurt physically or emotionally.”
Dr Kuje said this condition often triggers psychological and physiological disturbances, weakens the body’s defences, and increases irritability and stress among seafarers. He concluded by reiterating that the human element remains central to maritime operations, and prioritizing seafarers’ welfare is not only a moral obligation but also essential for a safer and more sustainable maritime industry.
“When seafarers operate in a hostile or unsupportive environment, it disturbs relationships on board, reduces efficiency, and often leads to addiction or other negative coping mechanisms,” Dr. Kuje stated.
On his part, the National President of NAMM, Captain Tajudeen Alao, expressed concern over the declining quality of maritime education and training in Nigeria, warning that the lack of globally recognized certifications among local seafarers is threatening the nation’s competitiveness in the international shipping industry.
Captain Alao noted that although Nigeria has a large pool of trained seafarers and marine technicians, many remain unemployable, because they lack essential certifications such as the Certificate of Competency (CoC) and Global Integrated Logistics Training (GILT), which are internationally required for offshore operations.
The veteran mariner emphasized the importance of maintaining Nigeria’s position on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) White List, which signifies compliance with global standards of maritime education and training. He disclosed that several Nigerian maritime institutions risk delisting due to inconsistent regulatory oversight and overlapping standards among the Ministry of Education, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and other agencies.
Captain Alao however urged collaboration between regulatory bodies, maritime academies, and the private sector to reform Nigeria’s maritime education system, align it with international competency frameworks, and ensure that graduates can compete favourably in the global.
“The law of demand and supply still applies in the maritime industry. We keep saying there is a surplus of manpower, but many of our people are not properly-trained. Without proper certification, no one will employ you on board ships abroad.
“Every maritime school must be on the IMO White List and audited accordingly. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, multiple agencies want to impose their own standards, and this creates confusion. Instead of focusing on competency-based training, we are teaching irrelevant subjects,” Captain Alao lamented.
