By Oluyinka Onigbinde
NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML) says it is intensifying efforts to domesticate critical maritime skills and training programmes as part of a broader strategy to position Nigeria as a hub for internationally recognised maritime certification by 2028.
The company said the initiative is aimed at reducing dependence on foreign training institutions through sustained investment in local expertise, infrastructure, and capacity development within Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The Managing Director of NSML, Abdul-Kadir Ahmed, disclosed this on Thursday while outlining the company’s strategic objectives for strengthening indigenous maritime capability and aligning local operations with global standards.
According to him, NSML’s vision goes beyond simply manning vessels with Nigerian personnel, but extends to developing full-scale maritime competence across shipbuilding, technical supervision, vessel management, and leadership development.
“Our vision goes beyond staffing vessels with Nigerians. It encompasses shipbuilding, technical supervision, vessel management, leadership development, and establishing institutions capable of delivering world-class maritime services,” Ahmed said.
He noted that indigenous maritime operators face the dual challenge of maintaining international standards while simultaneously building local talent pipelines, adding that this reality has made continuous investment in human capital development unavoidable.
Ahmed explained that NSML currently delivers several accredited training programmes recognised by relevant professional and maritime regulatory bodies, in collaboration with key stakeholders across the domestic maritime industry.
He added that these partnerships are designed to improve operational efficiency, enhance compliance standards, and strengthen the competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Speaking on NSML’s training architecture, the Chief Training and Development Manager, Effiong Attah, highlighted the Marine Accelerator Programme as one of the company’s flagship capacity-building initiatives.
According to him, the programme is designed to help local maritime operators align their workforce and operational standards with global best practices, particularly in high-demand technical and operational areas.
Attah also pointed to NSML’s fully sponsored annual leadership development programme, which he said accommodates about 20 participants drawn from the Maritime Academy and other maritime institutions across the country.
He described the initiative as part of efforts to groom the next generation of maritime industry leaders capable of driving transformation in the sector.
He further stated that NSML’s Maritime Centre of Excellence remains central to its long-term capacity development strategy, with the facility currently positioned to domesticate between 20 and 25 per cent of international maritime training requirements.
According to him, the company is making significant investments in infrastructure, technology, and professional expertise to expand the centre’s capabilities and enable more advanced training programmes to be delivered locally.
“Our goal is to provide virtually all advanced maritime training and certification programmes within Nigeria,” Attah said.
He explained that the centre is designed to complement existing maritime academies rather than compete with them, with a focus on advanced professional development and specialised certifications required for international seafaring qualifications.
