As Nigeria joins the global community to mark the Day of the Seafarer 2026, a maritime practitioner , Captain Ladi Olubowale says the country’s maritime future rests on a competent, sustainable maritime workforce — with Nigerian seafarers at its core.
Olubowale who is the Group MD/CEO of Seamate Maritime Integrated Services Limited spoke to journalists in Lagos, urging deliberate and sustained federal investment in maritime human capital.
Olubowale warned that ships, ports and policies alone cannot build a maritime nation.
He said no country has achieved maritime prominence without first strengthening its seafarers, noting historical examples such as Norway, Singapore, Greece, Denmark, Japan, South Korea and the Netherlands.
For Nigeria to become a leading maritime power in Africa, the captain argued, maritime education, training and capacity development must be elevated to national priorities.
He said certification must be matched with expanded opportunities for practical sea-time and exposure to modern vessel operations.
Highlighting long-standing gaps, Olubowale expressed concern over limited sea-time placements for Nigerian cadets, a constraint that undermines the growth of indigenous maritime personnel.
He called for a coordinated response involving government, regulators, shipowners, offshore operators, maritime institutions and the private sector to address the shortfall.
The former president of the Africa Shipowners Association (ASA) Nigeria urged sustained government investment in maritime human capital, warning that ships, ports and policies alone cannot make a maritime nation.
“Throughout history, leading maritime countries invested deliberately and consistently in maritime human capital,” he said, citing Norway, Singapore, Greece, Denmark, Japan, South Korea and the Netherlands as examples. For Nigeria to compete, he added, maritime education, training and capacity development must become national priorities.
He raised alarm over limited sea-time opportunities for Nigerian cadets, calling for a coordinated framework involving government, regulators, shipowners, offshore operators, maritime institutions and the private sector to expand hands-on training.
“The future competitiveness of Nigerian seafarers depends not only on certification but also on meaningful exposure to modern vessel operations and international best practices,” Olubowale said.
To unlock the Blue Economy’s potential, he recommended a National Seafarers Development Strategy aligning education, sea-time pathways, certification, welfare, employment creation and leadership development into a cohesive plan.
He also backed stronger indigenous shipping policies to boost fleet growth, coastal trade and local participation—measures he said would generate jobs, sea-time, skills transfer and maritime entrepreneurship.
Olubowale pressed the federal government to prioritise seafarers’ welfare and create career pathways ashore for experienced seafarers, noting that sea experience is critical to effective maritime governance. He called for targeted efforts to recruit youth and increase women’s participation in maritime careers.
Reflecting on this year’s theme, “Carrying World Trade. Carrying the Risks,” Olubowale said seafarers remain among the least visible contributors to global economic activity. He paid tribute to Nigerian seafarers serving on merchant vessels, tankers, offshore support ships, container and coastal vessels, fishing fleets, dredgers and specialised platforms worldwide.
The Day of the Seafarer 2026, he said, should be a catalyst for renewed national commitment to place Nigerian seafarers at the centre of maritime development.
