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
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.
Maritime Agencies
NEW YEAR CELEBRATION: MARAN Appreciates Stakeholders, Requests Greater Support and Collaboration in 2026.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate a brand new year, the pioneer maritime journalists’ group, the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), has implored the entire business community, especially maritime industry stakeholders, to join the association afresh in advancing the cause of the industry to ensure more impact and relevance in the national economy in the new year and beyond.
In a New Year message, MARAN Chairman, Mr. Tunde Ayodele described 2026 as a “year of greater impact,” stressing the need for improved service delivery and more robust maritime reportage to support national development.
According to him, the collective efforts of stakeholders in the outgoing year contributed positively to the growth of the maritime sector, urging all parties to sustain the spirit of unity and collaboration in the new year.
“United, we can make Nigeria proud by contributing our quota to national development, each from our own little corner,” the MARAN chairman said.
Ayodele reaffirmed MARAN’s readiness to collaborate with organisations and institutions across the maritime value chain, noting that such partnerships are crucial to making Nigeria’s maritime space one that is admired and celebrated.
He expressed appreciation for the cooperation and support extended to the association throughout 2025 and called for renewed commitment in the year ahead.
“Thank you for your cooperation and support in 2025. Let us do it again in 2026,” he added.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In the ongoing efforts to thwart economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, Tantita Security Services Ltd, the firm engaged in pipeline surveillance operations in the oil -rich region, has nabbed four suspected oil thieves, intercepting their vessel named MT Thor. Suspects are to undergo trial for economic sabotage .
Speaking at the handover of the suspects at Koko Port, Tantita’s Executive Director of Operations, Capt Warredi Enisouh, said the suspects were apprehended with an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally-sourced petroleum products aboard the vessel.
The interception occurred on 15 December 2025, around the Koko–Excravos axis of Delta State, says a situation report made available by the Special Prosecution Team (SPT) of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft.
The report stated that Tantita alerted the Head of Investigation of the SPT after intercepting MT Thor, allegedly laden with crude oil obtained through illicit means.
It was further alleged that the vessel was being escorted by personnel of the Police Marine Unit, Delta State, who reportedly claimed they were acting on directives from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja.
Preliminary investigations by law enforcement agencies revealed that the vessel, now classified as an exhibit in an ongoing criminal investigation, is linked to a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Services Limited. Investigation officers disclosed that documents and correspondence connected to the jetty were obtained and are currently under review.
“The owner of the jetty, Mr. Ebenezer, was contacted by investigators and reportedly provided additional documents, including court orders, which are also being analysed as part of the investigation.
“On December 16, a joint investigation team led by the Head of Investigation of the SPT conducted a Joint Inspection Visit in Koko. The team first met at Tantita’s corporate headquarters in Warri for a briefing, which was also attended by the jetty owner.
“During the inspection, investigators attempted to obtain samples from MT Thor but were unable to do so immediately as the vessel had not yet arrived at the jetty, having been towed from an earlier location by security operatives.
“While awaiting the vessel’s arrival, the team inspected other containers suspected to be carrying crude oil within the premises of Ebenco Global Links Limited, where samples were taken from a storage barge.
“MT Thor eventually berthed at about 8:30 p.m. on 16 December, prompting the joint team to adjourn sampling and other procedures until the following day. As of 17 December 2025, investigators were reported to be en route to Koko to continue sample collection and complete investigation formalities,” the report read.
Receiving the suspects, the Head of the Special Prosecution Team of the Inter-Agency Task Force, Omar Sini, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to dismantle crude oil theft networks in the Niger Delta, assuring that all findings would be thoroughly examined and prosecuted in line with the law.
OIL FACILITIES PROTECTION: Tompolo’s Tantita Acquires High-Tech Drones From US Firm.
NEW YEAR CELEBRATION: MARAN Appreciates Stakeholders, Requests Greater Support and Collaboration in 2026.
NIGER DELTA SECURITY : Tantita Arrests 4 Oil Thieves, Nabs Vessel .
Tincan Customs Achieves N51.8Bn Surplus Above 2025 Revenue Target
NSC Boss, Akutah, Speaks At Maritime Journalists’ Seminar, Harps on Developing Trends the Press Cannot Overlook.
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Industry Gurus Head To Badagry As BACCIMA, Portbizness Discuss Trans-Border International Trade.
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MMA Customs Command Hits 100.1% of Annual Revenue Target 11 Months Before Year-End.
MARAN Dissolves Exco, Appoints An Interim Leadership.
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B’ODOGWU TRADE PORTAL: Customs Consolidates, Pilots Form ‘M’ Processing.
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PHOTO NEWS: Maritime Capacity Development
Lilypond Export Command Is Meeting Expectations, Handles 70% of Nigeria’s Total Tonnage of Export Cargo, says CAC Odusanya.
Sylvanus Ekpo, ex-Editor, Shipping World Magazine, loses Mum
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoFIGHT AGAINST FINANCIAL CRIMES: MMIA CAC Makes Huge Haul of Foreign Currencies, Hands Over To EFCC
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoWIKE AT 62: TSSL Celebrates Courage, Conviction and Unwavering Sense of Duty.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoNIGER DELTA SECURITY : Tantita Arrests 4 Oil Thieves, Nabs Vessel .