The Nigeria LNG Ship Management Limited (NSML) recently underwent a corporate rebranding and it convened a roundtable with maritime journalists to provide insights into its milestones and lingering challenges since inception. NSML’s management addresses burning issues including the status of Nigerian cadets, the fate of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron graduates, and why certain seafarer certifications remain a barrier to employment onboard LNG carriers. Oluyinka Onigbinde was present and brings the full interaction
NSML is known for its Nigerianisation policy. Can you shed light on the progress made in terms of Nigerian seafarers onboard your vessels?
Our Nigerianisation objective is a fundamental part of who we are as a company. From inception, the goal has always been clear—we want Nigerians to actively participate in the LNG shipping space. Our internal benchmark was set at ensuring 85 percent of crew on all our vessels are Nigerians. But we must also keep in mind that shipping is a global industry governed by international standards. That’s why we’ve always maintained room for a 15 percent foreign crew quota; not out of necessity alone, but to encourage cultural and technical cross-fertilization. Presently, that 15 percent includes professionals from Poland, Ukraine, India, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
It’s important to note that once onboard, there are no distinctions. Everyone is an NSML staff member, and they operate as a team with the same professionalism and expectations. We achieved our 85 percent Nigerianisation target about two years ago. It’s not static; some years we exceed that, other years we may drop slightly due to staff turnover, vessel expansion, or crew promotions.
For instance, we’ve continued to grow our fleet and just last month, we welcomed a new state-of-the-art LNG vessel, Axios, the sister ship to Arcturus, which we commissioned last year. These are mega, technologically-advanced LNG carriers, and we’re proud that Nigerians are sailing on them.
On the office front, it’s even more remarkable—we are 100 percent Nigerian-staffed across all departments, including top management.
How has NSML contributed to the sea-time training of Nigerian cadets, especially through partnerships like the one with NIMASA?
We’ve had a very consistent and robust partnership with NIMASA through the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP). Sea-time experience is a core requirement for certification, and we are proud to say NSML has been one of the largest and most reliable providers of sea-time training for Nigerian cadets. Close to 300 Nigerian cadets have gained sea-time experience onboard our vessels. This is in direct alignment with our mandate to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime capacity. Keep in mind, we’re the only dedicated LNG technical ship management company in sub-Saharan Africa today, and our vessels provide an elite-level platform for learning and skill development. Even beyond just training, NSML has absorbed many of these cadets. We’ve recruited nearly 100 of them into our workforce, which shows our commitment to long-term capacity building—not just a training checkbox.
A notable recent intervention involved a group of cadets who studied in Romania, but couldn’t obtain recognized certification. When NIMASA approached us for help, we responded by placing 65 of them onboard our vessels to complete their sea-time. They are now being transitioned into a bridge programme in the UK, where they’ll obtain internationally-recognized certificates. That’s the kind of practical solution we’re committed to offering.
What level of engagement does NSML have with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron?
We have an active relationship with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron. In fact, back in 2014, we went there to evaluate their curriculum, identify areas of support, and even provided assistance to improve their training facilities. Many of our senior personnel are proud alumni of the institution. Currently, we’re running an industrial attachment programme where we take on students from MAN Oron. At the moment, around 20 of their cadets are undergoing training at our offices. However, the core issue lies in certification, particularly the Certificate of Competency (CoC) issued by NIMASA to MAN Oron graduates. These certificates are classified as Near Coastal Voyages (NCV), which unfortunately are not accepted internationally for ocean-going vessels—the type we operate. To be clear, this isn’t a critique of the quality of cadets or their education. The problem is not academic, it’s a quality assurance and recognition issue. The maritime world is governed by global standards, and unless those certificates are internationally-accredited, there’s little we can do to place them onboard vessels that travel across global waters. We’re working closely with NIMASA to resolve this. It’s about helping them upgrade their systems, processes, and certification frameworks to meet international recognition standards. It’s not about the competency of graduates; it’s about third-party verification that assures global operators that the certificate holders are qualified today and will remain qualified tomorrow. In contrast, we’ve had success resolving similar issues for ratings—those with STCW certificates now recognized by Bermuda, which has allowed us to employ more Nigerian ratings onboard. We’re hoping for similar breakthroughs with officer-level certifications.
Could you explain why NSML cannot currently engage graduates from MAN, Oron, despite the obvious talent pool there?
This is a painful reality, but it comes down to compliance and safety. NSML operates ocean-going LNG vessels, and these vessels berth at multiple international destinations. Every crew member must hold a globally recognized Certificate of Competency (CoC) to satisfy international maritime regulations and port-state control inspections. Unfortunately, the current NCV CoCs issued by NIMASA to MAN Oron graduates are not recognized for ocean-going voyages. We simply cannot place them on vessels that operate globally without running afoul of international safety and compliance requirements.
We’re not turning our backs on them. As I said, the issue is not a matter of skill, but of certification structure. We’re actively engaging NIMASA to resolve this, because we know the potential is there. Our hope is that in the near future, with the right upgrades and international verification, MAN Oron graduates will be able to sail on NSML vessels; just like any other globally qualified seafarer.
What steps are you taking to push for international recognition of Nigerian maritime certifications, especially from NIMASA?
We are advocating for stronger institutional frameworks. Quality assurance is a journey that involves not just training but auditing, testing, and revalidation. Global recognition doesn’t come from declarations—it comes from meeting established benchmarks that are universally accepted. That’s why our discussions with NIMASA are focused on capacity building, supporting their efforts to modernize and gain mutual recognition agreements with key maritime authorities. Once we secure those recognitions—say, from the UK MCA, Bermuda, or Panama, we can start placing Nigerian officers more confidently on ocean-going vessels. We’ve already achieved this in the case of ratings, and it’s a model that can work for officers too, if all stakeholders stay committed.
What should the industry expect from NSML in the years ahead, especially in terms of building Nigeria’s maritime workforce?
We’re staying focused on sustainability, growth, and Nigerian capacity building. As we expand our fleet with more sophisticated vessels like the Axios and Arcturus, we are creating world-class platforms where Nigerian seafarers can thrive. We’ll continue to partner with government institutions, regulators, and academies to uplift certification standards, provide training pipelines, and push for international recognition. Whether through cadet recruitment, bridge programmes, or policy advocacy, NSML remains committed to growing Nigeria’s maritime manpower in line with global standards. We’re not just managing ships, we’re shaping the future of Nigeria’s maritime workforce.
