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By Steve Agbota
Group Managing Director, Seamate Maritime Integrated Services Limited, Ladi Olubowale, has called for strategic investment in Nigerian seafarers to unlock the full opportunities embedded in the nation’s blue economy.
Olubowale, who is also the Ambassador, International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), United Kingdom, made this call while commemorating the Day of the Seafarer 2026with the theme: “Carrying World Trade. Carrying the Risks,” under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
He said that Nigeria needs to prioritise the training and development of seafarers to be competitive in global trade, saying that no maritime nation can build a strong maritime domain without strong seafarers.
“As Africa’s largest economy and one of the continent’s most strategically positioned maritime nations, Nigeria’s maritime future depends significantly on the quality, competence, and sustainability of its maritime workforce.
“At the centre of that workforce are Nigerian seafarers. No maritime nation can be built without seafarers. Throughout history, the world’s leading maritime nations have shared a common characteristic: they invested deliberately and consistently in maritime human capital. “The maritime success of countries such as Norway, Singapore, Greece, Denmark, Japan, South Korea, and the Netherlands was not built solely on infrastructure, ports, ships, or regulations. It was built on the strength of their maritime professionals,” he explained.
According to him, the long-term success of Nigeria’s maritime sector and blue economy will ultimately depend on its ability to develop, empower, retain, and continuously support indigenous maritime professionals capable of competing on a global scale.
He added that if Nigeria is to become a leading maritime nation in Africa, then local capacity development must move from aspiration to action, adding that the future of the nation’s shipping industry, port system, offshore sector, coastal trade, marine services, and blue economy depends on the strength of the nation’s maritime workforce.
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As Nigeria advances its blue economy agenda, he said that it is important to recognise that the success of the blue economy will not be determined solely by investments in infrastructure, marine resources, ports, or shipping assets.
He pointed out that its success will ultimately be determined by the availability of skilled maritime professionals capable of creating value across shipping, fisheries, marine logistics, offshore energy, coastal tourism, marine technology, ocean governance, and maritime security.
“Seafarers remain the first and most critical link in this value chain. A thriving Blue Economy cannot exist without a thriving maritime workforce. Therefore, investments in maritime human capital should be regarded as investments in national economic growth, employment creation, food security, energy security, and sustainable development.
“Maritime education, training and capacity development must become national priorities. The maritime industry is undergoing profound transformation. Digitalisation, artificial intelligence, automation, decarbonization, alternative fuels, cybersecurity, smart shipping technologies, and emerging environmental requirements are reshaping the skills needed for maritime operations. This transformation presents both opportunities and challenges for Nigeria,” he said.
To remain competitive, he emphasised that Nigeria must significantly increase investment in maritime education and training, which requires modernisation of maritime training institutions, expansion of simulation and technical training facilities, strengthening certification systems, development of future-focused maritime curricula, increased industry-academia collaboration, continuous professional development programmes and enhanced digital and green shipping competencies.
He advised that, most importantly, the country must address the longstanding challenge of sea-time training opportunities.
“Every year, many Nigerian cadets complete their academic studies but face difficulties obtaining the sea-time experience required for certification and career progression. This challenge continues to limit the growth of indigenous maritime manpower and must be addressed through a coordinated framework involving government, regulators, shipowners, offshore operators, maritime institutions, and private sector stakeholders,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said that the future competitiveness of Nigerian seafarers depends not only on certification but also on meaningful exposure to modern vessel operations and international best practices.
