Nimasa moves to revamp seafarers’ training curriculum, eyes global certification

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has commenced moves to review Nigeria’s maritime training curriculum to bring the country’s seafarer certification in line with globally accepted standards.

Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, disclosed this when the Governing Board of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, led by its Chairman, Engr. Kehinde Olayinka Akinola, paid a working visit to the Agency’s corporate headquarters in Lagos.

Mobereola said effective collaboration between NIMASA and MAN, Oron, remains critical to strengthening seafarers’ training and developing the human capital required to drive Nigeria’s Blue Economy.

He disclosed that NIMASA is working on a review of the 2017 Standard Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) curriculum for maritime training institutions across the country.

According to him, the review is aimed at replacing obsolete training curricula and benchmarking Nigeria’s maritime education system against leading global standards.

“For over 32 years, Nigerian training institutions have been operating with obsolete curricula. NIMASA is determined to review the curriculum and benchmark against the very best globally acceptable standard.

“This is in a quest to ensure that seafarers’ certification in Nigeria enjoys global recognition,” he said.

The NIMASA Director General also reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to supporting the training and career development of Nigerian seafarers through MAN, Oron.

He described human capital development as one of the most critical components for unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s Blue Economy.

Earlier, the Chairman of the MAN Governing Board, Akinola, said the Academy remains one of the leading maritime training institutions in Africa, supported by state-of-the-art facilities.

While appreciating NIMASA for its continued support, Akinola disclosed that MAN, Oron, has developed a five-year development plan designed to strengthen its training capacity.

He said a key component of the plan is the acquisition of a training vessel to provide cadets with enhanced practical and sea-time training.

Akinola also disclosed that the Liberian Maritime Administration and a Liberian maritime training institution, which recently visited the Academy, have expressed interest in partnering with MAN, Oron.

The proposed partnership, he said, could create opportunities for Nigerian seafarers to undertake sea-time training aboard Liberian-flagged vessels.

According to him, such opportunities would enable Nigerian cadets to acquire additional practical experience while improving their competitiveness in the global maritime labour market.

The working visit underscores the importance of closer institutional collaboration between NIMASA and MAN, Oron, particularly in upgrading maritime education, improving practical training and positioning Nigerian seafarers for greater participation in the international shipping industry.

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