MAN Lecture: Expect shortage of ninety -six thousand Seafarers in 2026–Expert warns
A shortfall of ninety- six thousand Seafarers would be experienced in Nigeria’s Maritime sector in the year 2026.
Maritime Expert, Capt Konni Duniya disclosed this in a paper presented at the 2024 Lecture Series of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron, titled: “Addressing Human and Institutional Capacity Development in Nigeria’s Maritime Sector Through Stakeholders Partnership
She expressed concern that the country will suffer huge shortage of adequate and competent seafarers in the coming years if the manpower Gap created as a result of war, retirement and disruptions in the sector
Is not urgently addressed.
Captain Duniya, an alumna of the premier maritime institution blame the situation on domination of Nigeria’s Maritime sector by seafarers of foreign countries, issuance of fraudulent Certificate of Competency CoC, lack of database to validate cadet’s education, training and experience..
She also identified non-compliance with STCW Convention of International Maritime Organization as one of the major factors and limitations causing low employment opportunities for Nigerian seafarers.
She called on the Federal Government to organise frequent
training for existing seafarers and develop capacity building programs for incoming ones with the use of emerging trends and technologies
“Nigeria has been on the IMO STCW white list since 2019 however Nigerian seaferers are yet to benefit from this achievement due to the inability of Nigeria to sign MOU with the most respected countries like UK, Australia and most of Europe. Signing MOU with such countries will help strengthen our image as a serious maritime nation and open doors for employment of Nigerian seafarers globally.
Nigeria is the only country with unemployed seafarers in the world despite the cabotage law which seems to have been poorly implemented and shortage of seafarers globally.
There needs to be proper housekeeping in NIMASA to combat issues of seatine and licence forgery through the use of block chain and cloud computing.
There is the need for Nigeria to market her seafarers to the global market alongside the signing of MOU like Ghana, South Africa and other countries are doing.
Nigeria seafarers are left to their fate battling poor wages , welfare and living conditions within Nigerian waters while alternatively accepting lower positions outside Nigerian waters which does not give room for consistent career growth” — she said
The Maritime academy of Nigeria is currently positioned to compete globally in terms of standards . She urged FG to provide the enabling environment for the school to achieve the aims and objectives of its establishment as it relates to Seafarers training and licence issuing.
Stakeholders have also been advised to encourage female seafarers through Training, capacity building and employment Generation just like their male counterparts so as to achieve the desired growth in Nigeria’s Marine and blue economy industry.