Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry have called for improved welfare, stronger protection and sustained investment in seafarers, describing them as indispensable to global trade and economic development.
The appeal was made during the 2026 Day of the Seafarer celebration organised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in Lagos.
The event, themed “Carrying World Trade, Carrying the Risk,” brought together members of the National Assembly, government officials, policymakers, security agencies, labour unions and other maritime stakeholders to discuss the contributions of seafarers to international trade and the need to strengthen their welfare and working conditions.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun, described the theme as a fitting reflection of the sacrifices made by seafarers and reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to enacting laws that promote maritime safety, seafarers’ welfare, indigenous shipping and maritime education.
According to him, seafarers are central to international trade and deserve policies that guarantee their safety, welfare and professional growth. He pledged continued legislative support to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime sector and enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian seafarers in the global shipping industry.
L-R: Executive Director, Operations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi; Deputy Chairman of the Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Uduak Odudoh; Director, Maritime safety and security, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Makoji Musa; representing the Honorable Minister, Director General, NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola; Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport; Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun Sanni; Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha representing the Chief of Naval staff during the celebration of 2026 Day of the Seafarers in Lagos, Nigeria.
In a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Director of Maritime Safety and Security at the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Makoji Musa, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting decent work, improving seafarers’ welfare and strengthening Nigeria’s maritime workforce under the Blue Economy agenda.
The minister said the government would continue to pursue policies that protect seafarers, improve their skills and create greater opportunities for them in the international maritime labour market, noting that investment in seafarers is critical to Nigeria’s economic future.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said that although seafarers facilitate more than 80 per cent of global trade, they continue to face occupational hazards, security threats and prolonged separation from their families.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to implementing the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 and the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), under which more than 2,459 cadets have been trained.
Mobereola also disclosed that the adoption of the International Transport Workers’ Federation/International Labour Organization wage scale into the conditions of service for Nigerian seafarers has resulted in wage increases of more than 150 per cent.
He stressed that NIMASA would continue to prioritise the welfare and professional development of Nigerian seafarers, noting that a resilient maritime industry depends on a motivated, well-trained and adequately protected workforce.
Also speaking, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, representing the Chief of the Naval Staff, commended Nigerian seafarers for their contributions to national and global commerce.
He assured stakeholders of the Nigerian Navy’s continued collaboration with NIMASA to safeguard the nation’s maritime domain and support initiatives aimed at ensuring safe, secure and efficient maritime operations.
President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Francis Bunu, commended NIMASA for its sustained efforts to improve the welfare and working conditions of Nigerian seafarers, saying the agency’s interventions have strengthened the capacity and global competitiveness of the country’s maritime workforce.
At the end of the event, stakeholders pledged continued support for NIMASA’s initiatives to enhance maritime safety, human capacity development and seafarers’ welfare as Nigeria pursues its ambition of becoming a leading maritime nation.
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