Nigeria contributes less than 2.3 percent to the global seafaring workforce, a figure that underscores how far the country has fallen behind in an industry that continues to expand worldwide. Out of the 1.9 million seafarers listed across the globe, only about 6,000 are Nigerians, according to Capt. Rasheed Onakoya of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM).

Capt. Onakoya presented this data at the association’s quarterly lecture, where he warned that Nigeria risks shutting itself out of a sector that is creating more jobs than ever before. He explained that there are now more trained seafarers than available ships internationally, a development that has opened new employment windows for countries willing to train their citizens to global standards.

While advanced nations are also affected by shifting labour patterns, he stated that Asian countries are moving quickly to take advantage of emerging gaps.

He argued that Nigeria cannot expect to benefit from these opportunities without deliberate government intervention. Maritime academies and training institutions, he said, must be upgraded to meet international best practices if the country hopes to close the deficit in its global seafaring manpower. Without such reforms, the nation will continue to produce too few sailors to compete in the global seafaring labour market.

Capt. Onakoya added that the seafaring profession could serve as an important tool for reducing unemployment in Nigeria. However, he noted that many of the sailors already in service face harsh working conditions.

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According to him, delayed or underpaid wages, inadequate medical support, and arbitrary dismissals remain common experiences, despite the essential role these workers play in international trade and national development. These violations, he said, erode the dignity of seafarers and make the profession less attractive to young Nigerians.

To reverse the trend, he urged government agencies to enforce labour standards more strictly, strengthen maritime education, and initiate institutional reforms that prioritise merit and professionalism. Capt. Onakoya also called for the appointment of core marine professionals to strategic positions, arguing that effective leadership is central to rebuilding the sector.

He said Nigeria has the potential to position itself as a major contributor to global maritime labour, but this will require a clear policy direction and long-term investment. Without such steps, the nation will continue to play a marginal role in an industry that offers vast economic prospects.

However, there are already signs of movement. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has launched the Centre for Marine and Offshore Technology Development (CMOTD) in partnership with Rivers State University.  As of July 2025, 305 youths are undergoing a four-month training programme in seven technical areas, including ship design, big data analytics, welding, and automation under NCDMB’s Human Capacity Development initiative.

Furthermore, NCDMB has previously run sea-time cadet programs: in a prior phase, 40 cadets were trained on board foreign vessels through an international partner, earning internationally recognised Certificates of Competence. The board has also sponsored a postgraduate diploma in marine survey for 30 graduates.

While these programmes represent progress, they cover only a fraction of the country’s needs. The scale of Nigeria’s manpower shortage means that far wider investment and policy support will be required before the country can strengthen its position in the global seafaring labour market.

Cynthia Nwanonyiri