Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has reached the concluding stage of signing bilateral agreements with some countries to facilitate greater recognition and acceptance of the country’s seafarers.

Director General of the Agency, Dr. Bashir Jamoh stated this at the flag off of the third face of the Nigeria Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), at the Naval Dockyard in Lagos, this weekend. 

In his address, Dr Bahir stated, among others that the programme is designed to “To prepare ourselves for the coming opportunities, the Agency will make concerted efforts to sign bi-lateral agreements of mutual recognition of Certificate of Competency to open opportunities for Nigerian seafarers to work abroad."

Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi flashed the ceremony, organised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), open. The Minister urged the 200 Cadetsa to be of good behaviour and represent Nigeria well. He also commended the resilience of the organisers in ensuring the success and expansion of the programme since its inception in 2009. 

Speaking at the event, The Transport Minister said: “The doggedness of NIMASA in ensuring the success of this programme is commendable, but I would like the Agency to include is more local training institutions that meet the standard required for the training."

To the cadets, the Minister stated, “For those who are leaving, please, do not embarrass the country. You are not just ambassadors of NIMASA, you are ambassadors of Nigeria. You have to be of utmost good behaviour. 

“You have to study and pass your exams. There are so many youths who want this opportunity that you have. It means that you must show NIMASA that they did not make any mistake in choosing you.” 

“After training, some of you will be hired overseas. The ones that are not hired overseas, please, come back to the country. This country is changing in time. You will see the changes as you come. It won’t be easy, it’s difficult, but the changes are coming gradually,” he said.

Earlier in his welcome address, Director General of NIMASA, had said the third phase of NSDP, called NSDP Tera, had addressed many of the challenges encountered in the previous stages of the programme. Jamoh said with this latest phase, the country was set for a better, more innovative maritime manpower in the country. 

“We are working with industry experts to ensure that our Maritime Education and Training (MET) meets international standards.”

Chairman, Board of NIMASA, Asita Honourable Asita, extolled the impact of the NSDP in the country’s maritime sector. Asita encouraged the cadets to be a good example and encuragement to other youth in the country.

Former Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, in his goodwill message, expressed delight in the pace of implementation of NSDP by the Dr. Jamoh led Management. 

He also commended the Transportation Minister what he described as the "Provision of purposeful leadership in the maritime sector".

"The sector has witnessed unprecedented growth since you became Minister. The removal of wrecks in our waters has commenced. Piracy has reduced drastically; I commend this administration", he said. 

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