The Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh has tasked new Nigerian Cadets to remain focused and eschew foreign distractions in their pursuit of the golden fleece, stressing that Nigeria is truly blessed with unfolding opportunities.

The Director General highlighted this in Lagos, in a welcome address at the Flags-off Ceremony of Batch B of the 3rd Phase of NSDP, (NSDP TERRA) held today (Saturday 10th December 2022).

“To our youthful cadets, as you set sail, we make but only one demand of you: that you never lose sight of the mission of this voyage; avoid the foreign distractions that can cause a shipwreck to your budding careers and dedicate yourselves to the completion of your education so that your country’s huge investment will not be in vain. This is an opportunity of a lifetime” Jamoh said.

He specifically mentioned opportunities emerging from the increasing global trading fleet, partly on account of developments in Asia; the increasing activities on account of Cabotage regime; and the expanding opportunities provided by the Liquefied Natural Gas projects.

“The past decade has witnessed an increase in the global trading fleet, partly on account of developments in Asia and other emerging opportunities. 

“In Nigeria, the demand for seafarers has also increased on account of the Cabotage regime which requires that vessels engaged in commercial trade and operations in the coastal and inland waters in Nigeria should be manned by Nigerians.

“The expanding opportunities provided by the Liquefied Natural Gas projects have also been a major boost for manpower demand of the sector. With prospects for the commencement of operations of the Brass LNG, the expansion of the NLNG trains and the Olokola Gas project, manpower demand for that sector has doubled the existing number.

“Another prospect is the growing off-shore oil exploration and production activities, which have increased the vessel requirements to meet demand in the sector. 

“Other areas with significant prospects include the fishing sector, the manning of inland waterway crafts and coastal tankers. Overall, the prospects for the future of the Nigerian shipping industry remain very bright in spite of the manpower constraints. It is our hope that the NSDP scheme will in the long run increase the pool of Nigerian seafarers for export to other Countries”, he stated further, thanking the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, for his huge unflinching support and presence at the ceremony.

“We are honoured by the presence of the Minister, members of the National Assembly here present and other major maritime stakeholders including parents and guardians of the beneficiaries.

“Today marks another milestone on the human capacity development drive of the maritime industry as championed by NIMASA. 

“The Honourable Minister may respectfully recall that the Agency in fulfilling one of its core functions in the area of Maritime Capacity Building in 2008 initiated the NSDP with the sole mandate of training Nigerian youths to become seafarers and Naval Architects. 

“The programme was designed to train Nigerian youths up to Degree level in Marine Engineering, Nautical Sciences and Naval Architecture in some of the best Maritime Training Institutions (MTIs) abroad and to position them to compete effectively in the global Maritime Industry”, Jamoh indicated, noting that the number of Nigerian seafarers on ocean-going vessels in the recent past pathetically depleted over the years, compelling the urgent need to boost it adequately, for effective implementation of the coastal and inland shipping policy of the Government.

“At some point, it was said that Nigeria had less than 10 Seafarers on ocean-going vessels, while countries like the Philippines had over 400,000; with an earning capacity of over US $6,000,000,000.00 in forex inflow from their seafarers employed around the world.

“Countries like India, Indonesia and China also have their nationals all around the world working in the maritime industries. It is hoped that with continuous progress made and better projections in the NSDP, Nigeria will soon be among the major players in the global maritime sector.

“It is important to note that from inception to 2020, the programme has enrolled 2,041 students, while 892 are now licensed deck and engine officers including naval Architects, the rest are in their final stage of the programme.

“It may please the Minister to know that about 486 of the graduates are now gainfully employed and sailing in both coastal and ocean-going vessels”, the NIMASA Boss also explained.

Taking a hard look at the structured 12-year-old program, Bashir Jamoh pointed out that both his agency and the Federal Ministry of Transportation had undertaken some corrective measures which resulted in: 

*the expansion of the programme by 435 new intakes (christened NSDP TERRA)

*Consideration of a recruitment plan that selects the best candidates for the NSDP

*Spreading beneficiaries across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, 

*Introducing conduct of conduct for all beneficiaries enrolled in the programme to safeguard the image of the country

*Selection of Maritime Training Institutions (MTIs) that offers the three training elements of the programme (shore-based training, shipboard training and the certificate of competency), is to eliminate the long delay in securing sea time training berths that was experienced with the previous set of students.

“In addition, NIMASA comparatively got the most reasonable cost for the training and in countries of mutual recognition of CoC with Nigeria.

In the meantime we have recruited 400 new students into the programme and secured admission in two reputable MTIs in Greece and India”, the NIMASA Strongman further said.

In the meantime, the Minister of Transportation has described the NSDP as a huge success story, with correspondingly positive multiplier benefits.

“It is worthy of note that the NSDP has so far been a success story and has further advanced the human capacity development programme of the Federal Government”, the Minister said, noting that the vision has already produced over 2,000 students.

“As stated in the Director General’s address, the NSDP from inception in 2008 has trained over 2,000 students in Marine Engineering, Nautical Science and Naval Architecture, of which many are now gainfully employed and sailing on both coastal and international vessels. 

“The presence of these officers is a further testament to the fact that the programme is a success.

“I have been made to understand that the programme had produced a female tugboat captain in the person of CANUS EBINIPRE ROBINSON and several Deck mates and 2nd Engineers currently sailing in both coastal and international vessels. 

“The NLNG has in the meantime employed more than 44 NSDP officers and still counting. This is quite commendable and calls for more concerted efforts towards ensuring that the NSDP graduates are gainfully employed.

“The success of this laudable policy cannot be overemphasized therefore the Federal Ministry of Transportation will continue to encourage and partner with NIMASA on NSDP and other policies on the development of a sustainable maritime-based economy (Blue Economy).

Hence, the Ministry explicitly gave its nod to the expansion of the Programme by another set of 435 new students to be recruited into the NSDP. 

“We urge the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of the Nation and justify the massive investment in you. This programme is a rare opportunity that is highly sought after by your peers, but providence has placed it on you and must be guarded jealously for the development and benefit of the Nation. We will continually monitor your progress in the programme and will not hesitate to discipline the recalcitrant ones among you”, Mu’azu Sambo further stated, cautioning the cadets against involvement in drugs and any conduct that would portray the nation in bad light.