By Mercy Oku.
Nigeria’s maritime industry has received a major boost as the Maritime Centre of Excellence (MCOE), operated by the Nigerian Shipping and Maritime Logistics (NSML), secured international certification from the UK Nautical Institute, further positioning the country as a hub for world-class maritime training in West Africa.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NSML, Abdulkadir K. Ahmed, described the certification as a significant milestone for both the organisation and Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Ahmed said the MCOE, located on Bonny Island in Rivers State, was established as a centre for maritime training, research and competence development, serving Nigeria, West Africa and the wider global maritime community. According to him, the facility is equipped with modern simulators and advanced training infrastructure designed to support the professional development of seafarers and maritime professionals.
He noted that the certification by the Nautical Institute validates the quality and international relevance of the training programmes offered by the Centre, confirming that it meets globally accepted standards for competence development and operational excellence.
The NSML chief added that the MCOE already holds accreditation from DNV under the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System and DNV-ST-0029 standards for Maritime Simulator and Training Centres.
With the latest recognition, the Centre is now licensed by the Nautical Institute to deliver key Dynamic Positioning (DP) programmes, including induction, simulator, revalidation and vessel maintenance courses, making it one of the few institutions in West Africa with such accreditation.
Ahmed further disclosed that the Centre offers a range of specialised courses accredited by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), covering areas such as Gas Tanker Operations, Dynamic Positioning, Human Element Leadership and Management, Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), and High Voltage Training.
He said the achievement would strengthen Nigeria’s standing in the global maritime industry, improve the employability and mobility of Nigerian seafarers, and reduce dependence on foreign training institutions by providing world-class maritime education locally.
According to him, the certification also reinforces safety, professionalism and operational readiness across the sector while supporting the growth of Nigeria’s blue economy through enhanced workforce capacity, increased productivity and job creation.
Ahmed attributed the success to sustained investments in training infrastructure, curriculum development, instructor competence and quality assurance systems, stressing that NSML remains committed to expanding access to maritime training and strengthening partnerships that align with international best practices.
He commended the dedication of the Centre’s staff, instructors, partners and stakeholders, whose contributions, he said, made the achievement possible.
The NSML boss reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to building a maritime institution that will continue to earn global recognition while contributing to the development of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
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