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
Suspend Charges Review, Engage Stakeholders, Shippers’ Council Tasks Shipping Companies
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
All shipping companies, shipping agents, and terminals operating within Nigerian ports have been given marching orders to suspend and discontinue the implementation of any review or upward adjustment of their charges until they have fully engaged their stakeholders.
This is contained in a release by Rebecca Adamu, Head of Public Relations of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigeria’s Ports Economic Regulator.
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council clarifies that the recent adjustment was approved strictly in accordance with her statutory mandate as the Port Economic Regulator in which case all tariff reviews were conducted in a transparent, structured, and well-defined regulatory process.
”These processes included detailed technical and consultative engagement with affected service providers aimed at examining the cost drivers, operational realities, investment obligations and regulatory compliance.”
”The engagements did not constitute automatic approvals; rather, they informed a broader evaluative process. Final determinations were reached only after rigorous internal, technical, and financial assessments guided by empirical evidence, regulatory benchmarks, and prevailing economic conditions.”
”Notwithstanding, shipping companies, agents, and terminal operators are hereby directed to suspend any intended review of charges until they have duly consulted and engaged their stakeholders. As the Port Economic Regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council will wield the big stick against any port service providers disrupting port operations”, the statement warned.
The Council emphasised that transparency, fairness, and stakeholder participation are fundamental principles underpinning port economic regulation in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr. Pius Akutah (MON), further warned that the Council is empowered under its regulatory mandate to apply appropriate sanctions against defaulting operators, including enforcement measures provided for under relevant regulatory frameworks. He encourages constructive engagement, dialogue, and compliance.
Any service provider that proceeds with charge reviews without stakeholders’ engagement should be prepared to face decisive regulatory action.
He assured that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council remains committed to protecting the interests of port users, promoting fair competition and ensuring a balanced and predictable business environment within the Nigerian maritime industry.
Customs
FG Inaugurates Nigerian Shippers’ Council Board, Highlights Need for Reduced Port Costs, Fair Pricing.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The inauguration of a new Board for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Monday, sets a clear reform agenda for Nigerian seaports as reduced port costs and fair pricing now take centre stage.
Dr Bolaji Akinola, Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, stated this in a statement.
At the event, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola charged the Board to focus on improving accountability in operations, reduced cost of doing business and strengthened regulation processes across the shipping sector.
The reconstitution of the Council’s governing structure, he stated, follows the resolve of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that good governance and repositioning of the Marine and Blue Economy should serve as a key engine of national economic growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Oyetola reminded the Board that as Nigeria’s Port Economic Regulator, the Shippers’ Council is central in efforts to achieve efficiency, transparency and fairness in port charges and service delivery.
Robust economic regulation, the Minister maintained, is critical to lowering trade costs, protecting shippers and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness within the sub-region and beyond.
The Minister urged Board members to provide firm strategic leadership and effective oversight, insisting that regulatory decisions must translate into measurable outcomes, including improved port efficiency, fair pricing, and enhanced trade facilitation.
He called for seamless collaboration between the Board and the Council’s management, while assuring members of the Ministry’s full support in delivering their mandate.
Dr Ibrahim Shema, former Governor of Katsina State, is the Chair of the newly -inaugurated Board. Other members are Dr. Pius Akutah, MON, Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer of the Council; Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji (NACCIMA); Mr. John Aluya (MAN); Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins and Mrs Olufunmilayo Olaseinde.
Others are Dr. Funmilola Rashidat Adeoti; Alhaji Mele Kofo Gladem; Mrs Hafsatu Mohammed (NNPCL); Hon. Maharazu Adamu Dayi; and Mrs. Uzoamaka Okereke from the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Speaking on behalf of the Board, Dr. Shema thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and commended the Minister for his leadership of the sector. He pledged that the Board would uphold professionalism and integrity while supporting reforms aimed at improving port performance, strengthening regulatory effectiveness, and delivering tangible benefits to shippers and the national economy.
NSC serves as Nigeria’s Port Economic Regulator, mandated to promote efficiency, transparency, competitiveness, and fairness in port operations, while safeguarding the interests of shippers and enhancing the country’s maritime trade environment.
Maritime Agencies
OIL FACILITIES PROTECTION: Tompolo’s Tantita Acquires High-Tech Drones From US Firm.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Tantita Security Services Ltd (TSSL), the company in charge of security surveillance over oil and gas installations in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, is in collaboration with Textron Systems Corporation, a United States–based defence and aerospace company, to supply her three advanced Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).
TSSNL owned by Chief Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo) disclosed the business deal in her website publication of December 29, 2025. The drones will be delivered in a fully ITAR-Free configuration.
The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 is designed to operate without runways, utilising hybrid quadrotor technology that enables vertical takeoff and landing, as well as fixed-wing flight.
The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS, Textron Systems says, is a mature, industry-proven autonomous platform known for its high reliability and operational flexibility. Its dual-mode capability allows it to operate seamlessly in complex and high-risk environments, making it well-suited for security operations within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Giving further insight into the contract, Senior Vice President, Air, Land and Sea Systems at Textron Systems, David Phillips, said the deployment would significantly enhance Tantita’s operational capability.
”The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS is a proven solution that will enable Tantita Security Services to expand its capabilities to protect the oil and gas infrastructure essential to Nigerian security and prosperity,” he stated.
The Aerosonde platform has accumulated over 700,000 flight hours across some of the world’s most challenging operating environments, underscoring its reliability and performance.
Tantita Security Services is expected to deploy the systems to strengthen surveillance and protection of critical oil and gas assets across Nigeria.
The contract also includes options for operator training and the supply of additional aircraft to support future capability expansion. Textron Systems noted that the agreement builds on a previous Foreign Military Sale (FMS) contract to Nigeria, further highlighting its ongoing commitment to supporting Nigerian security operations.
Textron Systems is a global leader in uncrewed air, land and sea systems, with the Aerosonde family of UAS currently supporting international customers and operations aboard more than 10 U.S. Navy ships. The company is a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), a diversified multinational with interests spanning aviation, defence, industrial manufacturing and finance.
With multiple payload configurations and comprehensive training and support services, the Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS offers a versatile and efficient solution for security operations in demanding environments, reinforcing Tantita Security Services’ role in safeguarding Nigeria’s critical energy infrastructure.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoOIL FACILITIES PROTECTION: Tompolo’s Tantita Acquires High-Tech Drones From US Firm.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoNEW YEAR CELEBRATION: MARAN Appreciates Stakeholders, Requests Greater Support and Collaboration in 2026.
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Customs20 hours agoFG Inaugurates Nigerian Shippers’ Council Board, Highlights Need for Reduced Port Costs, Fair Pricing.
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Maritime Agencies17 hours agoSuspend Charges Review, Engage Stakeholders, Shippers’ Council Tasks Shipping Companies