Maritime Agencies
Ex-cadets Condemn Government’s Refusal To Avail Them Seatime Experience, Regret Inability To Secure Jobs
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Government’s refusal to incorporate sea time experience in training young Nigerian seafarers has become a major setback as they cannot secure jobs after training.
Young graduates of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron, expressed great displeasure about this anomaly, Thursday, when they visited the International Press Centre of the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN), Apapa, Lagos.
Lack of sea time experience coupled with NIMASA’s refusal to avail them relevant documentations, they regretted, keep denying them opportunities for employment.
Years after classroom work, the ex-cadets cried out, majority of them cannot find ships to practice the theory imbibed at MAN, Oron. They wondered why the authorities feel unconcerned about the need to offer them practical experience in vessels which is badly needed for them to qualify as seafarers.
Speaking on behalf of the ex-cadets, Hameed Saruk Adamu said he left school last year alongside 59 other cadets.
“But today, barely few of us have jobs and sea time experience. There are cadets that left school 10 years ago but are yet to get jobs because shipping companies, like Maersk, prefer to use foreigners as Deck Cadets because their Nigerian counterparts lack sea time experience.”
“Many of our seniors have spent years searching for sea time experience. Many have exhausted their resources without success. Many of us have lost hope and have shut down their maritime aspirations, and have delved into other things, be it good, be it bad.”
He, however, said they were out now to cry out because “we do not want to be bad eggs; we want the story to change for good. We want this struggle to be over,” Adamu said.
He lamented that many of them scour the internet daily, trying to attract the attention of shipping lines, foreign professionals and stakeholders seeking for aid. But regrettably, the story has remained the same.
“Now, a lot of us are frustrated because of family pressure and rejection,” adding, “now it looks like our fate in the industry is tied to who we know. After 10 months of graduation, we are still on one spot because we do not have anybody; we do not know anybody. We know our colleagues who after eight years, seven years, five years, have not set their feet on a vessel.”
He noted that the Mandatory Certificate issued to them expires within five years after which graduates of the Academy cannot seek for employment.
Hameed Saruk Adamu condemned government neglect of the maritime sector with her indifference to the plight of young seafarers, citing a lot of attention other transportation modes such as aviation receive.
“Everyone knows what is happening in the aviation sector, rail and road sector but no one knows or cares about the maritime sector that is capable of increasing our GDP and GNP,” he stated.
The aspiring young seafarers enjoined the federal government to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with shipping companies operating in Nigeria to give opportunity to graduates from maritime institutions in Nigeria and abroad to have sea time experience as well as gain employment.
Now there is a new ministry with focus on Marine and Blue Economy, he suggested, a separate department should be created to focus attention on issues concerning seafarers.
On his part, MARAN President, Godfrey Bivbere, urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency for seafarers seeking for sea time training and employment in Nigeria and abroad. This has become necessary because while other maritime nations train and employ qualified seafarers, Nigeria’s maritime institution graduates are denied employment chances aboard vessels. Government has the responsibility to acquire vessels for their sea time experience and subsequent job placement.
The abandonment of young cadets after their academic work, MARAN President observed, is forcing the young seafarers, male and female, to go begging for sea time placement from foreign shipping lines and practitioners, exposing them to avoidable embarrassment and abuse.
He suggested a deliberate policy mandating all foreign shipping companies operating in Nigeria to give opportunities for young seafarers to have sea time experience.
Over time, aged and retired seafarers and maritime stakeholders have been crying out against the neglect of sea time training for cadets of MAN Oron, NIMASA’s Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) and other maritime training institutions in the country.
Because of lack of sea time experience, a large number of Nigerian cadets have remained unemployed, as shipping companies require high skills and competencies for their operations.
Maritime Agencies
Dredgers’ Body Disowns Report Alleging Extortion Against Lagos Commissioner Alebiosu, Cardoso.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Dredgers Association of Nigeria (DAN) has distanced itself from a report entitled ‘Dredgers Association Appeals to Sanwo-Olu Over Alleged Extortion, Urges Governor to Call Alebiosu, Cardozo to Order’, published on October 23, 2026 by some online blogs.
In a disclaimer jointly signed by Batare Akpomejero and Richard Ntan, National President and Secretary respectively, the Association categorically stated that the publication is fake and could not have originated from its National Leadership or any authorised organ of the dredgers’ body.
DAN clarified that it neither authorised, approved nor issued any petition or press release accusing Hon. Ekundayo Alebiosu, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Lagos State, and Mr. Cardozo of harassment, intimidation or extortion of dredgers and tipper operators.
The Association further stated that it had no record of the alleged impounding of trucks and demand for ₦500,000 as reported in the publication, adding that it completely dissociated itself from the claims.
Reaffirming its relationship with the Lagos State Government under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, DAN described its engagement with the government and the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development as cordial and collaborative.
On matters relating to dredging regulations and the interpretation of Supreme Court judgments concerning shoreline authority, the Association explained that discussions were being pursued through appropriate institutional channels and dialogue with relevant federal and state authorities, rather than through media confrontations.
Consequently, DAN has disclaimed the report in its entirety, urging the public, the Lagos State Government, Hon. Alebiosu and other stakeholders to disregard the publication as a statement issued on behalf of the Association.
DAN also expressed regret over any embarrassment, inconvenience or reputational damage the publication may have caused the Lagos State Government, the Honourable Commissioner and other officials mentioned.
It reaffirmed its commitment to promoting lawful, sustainable and collaborative dredging operations across Nigeria, while maintaining constructive engagement with relevant authorities and stakeholders.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is committed to translate maritime policies into practical results as part of efforts to ensure safer waterways, reliable infrastructure and sustainable economic growth.
NIWA Acting Managing Director, Alhaji Yusuf Girei made the commitment while congratulating stakeholders in his goodwill message during the 2026 World Maritime Day celebration.
This year’s celebration whose theme was“From policy to practice: Powering excellence,” has in attendance was graced the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON; the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Mrs. Fatima Sugra Mahmood, FSM, MCIPM; Chairperson and Keynote Speaker, Mrs. Mfon Usoro; Directors and Heads of Departments, CEOs of Parastatals under the Ministry, members of the diplomatic corps, industry stakeholders and the media.

“This year’s theme,” Alhaji Girei said, “reminds us that strong policies create value only when they are translated into meaningful action. In the maritime sector, that means safer waterways, reliable infrastructure, environmental stewardship and services that support trade and economic growth.”

He noted that NIWA remains committed to working with State Governments, industry stakeholders, host communities and development partners to improve navigation, strengthen safety standards, modernise facilities and protect the waterways on which many livelihoods depend.
Speaking about excellence in the maritime sector, he described it as a shared responsibility that requires skilled professionals, effective regulation, investment in innovation and a culture that places safety and sustainability at the heart of operations.

“By working together, we can build a maritime sector that is competitive, inclusive and prepared for the future,” he added.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Permanent Secretary and all stakeholders whose commitment keeps the maritime industry moving, and urged participants to turn shared ambition into practical results.
The celebration peaked when Alhaji Girei joined in the award presentation for the Primary School Children’s Essay Competition category sponsored by NIWA. The first position went to Idris Jibril Oladimeji of Holy Cross Primary School, Lagos, who won N200,000 cash and a laptop computer. The second position went to Suleiman Aisha of St. Paul’s Anglican School, Lagos Island, who received N150,000 and a laptop computer, while the third position went to Yahaya Aliyah of St. Mathias Girls Primary School, Lagos, who received N100,000 cash and a laptop computer.
On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of NIWA, he wished all stakeholders a successful World Maritime Day celebration.
Maritime Agencies
NAGAFF President, Chief Ezisi, Visits PTML Customs, Urges Deepened Customs-Freight Forwarders Partnership.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, National President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has given kudos to the Controller of the PTML Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller N. I. Miko, for the support extended to freight forwarders at PTML, enjoining him to sustain the tempo and assist the NAGAFF chapter to deepen the relationship for mutual benefits.
Chief Ezisi made the commendation, Thursday, when he led the association’s high command on a familiarization visit to the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the PTML Command.
Ezisi who used the opportunity to welcome the CAC to the Customs Command also introduced the newly-elected executive of the NAGAFF PTML Chapter democratically elected to manage its affairs for the next four years.
Describing NAGAFF as a law-abiding organisation which has maintained a longstanding relationship with the Customs Service, Chief Ezisi stressed the importance of collaboration, compliance and professionalism in facilitating legitimate trade.
He urged Miko to maintain open communication with the chapter’s leadership and whenever disagreements or operational challenges arose, the national leadership would intervene where necessary to resolve issues.
As in other large organisations, Ezisi acknowledged, members with different dispositions and approaches to matters populate NAGAFF and managing them and their differences remains the hallmark of effective leadership at all times.
He also told the CAC that as a body, NAGAFF has in place an active special intervention outfit, a compliance team with guiding slogan, “If you see something, say something.” This body monitors the activities of her members and other freight forwarders who willingly subvert compliance standards in the line of duties.
NAGAFF, he explained, is a non-profit association of freight forwarders whose headquarters relies on the contributions and activities of its chapters to fulfill its responsibilities to the industry.
In his response, the Customs Area Controller of the PTML Command, Comptroller Nura Ibrahim Miko, assured NAGAFF members of the Command’s continued cooperation. He described the relationship between Customs officers and freight forwarders at the terminal as very cordial and will always be, going forward.
Miko recalled NAGAFF’s organizational structure, describing it as impressive, particularly the commitment to training and capacity development of members through the NAGAFF Academy .
The PTML Command would continue to support freight forwarders, the CAC pledged as Customs officers and industry operators would continue to deepen the existing harmony and cooperation in the workplace.
He assured that the Command would continue engaging terminal operators on the need to improve the working environment for both Customs officers and freight forwarders.
Miko encouraged freight forwarders to report any shortcomings in the conduct of Customs officers, assuring them that the command would take feedback seriously and work towards improvement.
He also urged stakeholders to acknowledge good performance, emphasising that constructive engagement, mutual respect and collaboration were essential to effective operations.
He reaffirmed his management’s readiness to sustain the healthy relationship with the association and other stakeholders.
Giving a vote of thanks, NAGAFF’s Vice President (Headquarters), Simeon Nwonu, expressed pleasure of the assurance of a continued cordial relationship and accessibility stakeholders associate CAC Miko with right from the Apapa Command.
He thanked Comptroller Miko for the warm reception, expressing confidence that NAGAFF members operating at PTML would benefit from continued engagement.
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