Day of the Seafarer: FG Must Prioritise Maritime Human Capital to Build Strong Maritime Nation — Olubowale
Kathy Kyari
Nigeria's quest to emerge as a dominant maritime nation in Africa may remain elusive unless the Federal Government prioritises the development, welfare and employment of seafarers, according to maritime industry leader, Captain Ladi Olubowale, who has called for a coordinated national strategy to strengthen the country's maritime workforce.
Olubowale, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Seamate Maritime Integrated Services Limited, made the call in Lagos while speaking with journalists to mark the annual celebration.
The former President of the Africa Shipowners Association (ASA) Nigeria said Nigeria's maritime future, including its shipping industry, port system, offshore sector, coastal trade, marine services and Blue Economy, rests on the strength of its maritime workforce.
According to him, countries that have emerged as global maritime leaders achieved such status through consistent investments in maritime professionals rather than infrastructure alone.
"Throughout history, the world's leading maritime nations have shared a common characteristic: they invested deliberately and consistently in maritime human capital.
"The maritime success of countries such as Norway, Singapore, Greece, Denmark, Japan, South Korea, and the Netherlands was not built solely on infrastructure, ports, ships, or regulations. It was built on the strength of their maritime professionals," he said.
Olubowale noted that for Nigeria to remain competitive in global maritime business, maritime education, training and capacity development must become national priorities.
He said: "No maritime nation has ever achieved maritime greatness without investing in its seafarers. The future of Nigeria's Blue Economy will not be determined solely by the ships we acquire, the ports we modernize, or the policies we formulate, but by the people we train, protect, empower, and elevate to leadership within the maritime sector."
The maritime expert also expressed concern over the persistent shortage of sea-time training opportunities for Nigerian cadets, describing it as one of the major obstacles to the development of indigenous maritime manpower.
He argued that the challenge requires a coordinated response involving government agencies, regulators, shipowners, offshore operators, maritime training institutions and private sector stakeholders.
"The future competitiveness of Nigerian seafarers depends not only on certification but also on meaningful exposure to modern vessel operations and international best practices," he stated.
Olubowale further advocated the establishment of a comprehensive National Seafarers Development Strategy that would integrate maritime education, sea-time opportunities, certification pathways, welfare standards, employment generation and leadership development into a single national framework.
"The strategy should be designed to ensure that Nigeria produces a sustainable pipeline of highly skilled maritime professionals capable of supporting the nation's shipping, offshore, logistics, marine services, and Blue Economy ambitions over the coming decades," he said.
He also renewed calls for stronger implementation of indigenous shipping development initiatives and policies aimed at increasing Nigerian participation in maritime transportation.
According to him, expanding indigenous ship ownership and encouraging greater participation in coastal shipping would create more opportunities for employment, sea-time acquisition, skills development, technology transfer and maritime entrepreneurship.
On seafarers' welfare, Olubowale urged the government to elevate the issue to a national maritime priority, noting that professional development must go hand in hand with adequate welfare and wellbeing measures.
"A truly sustainable maritime sector must create pathways that enable seafarers to transition from shipboard service into positions of leadership and influence ashore.
"The experience gained at sea is invaluable to the development of effective maritime institutions and governance systems," he added.
The shipping executive also called for deliberate efforts to attract more young Nigerians into maritime careers and expand opportunities for women in seafaring and maritime leadership positions.
"No maritime sector can achieve sustainable growth without effective governance. Professional, transparent, accountable, and forward-looking governance remains essential to building a globally competitive maritime industry.
"We are reminded that behind every maritime policy, every shipping strategy, every port reform, every vessel movement, and every Blue Economy initiative are the men and women whose skills, sacrifices, and professionalism sustain maritime commerce and national development," he maintained.
Reflecting on the significance of the 2026 Day of the Seafarer theme, "Carrying World Trade. Carrying the Risks," Olubowale, who also serves as an Ambassador of the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) UK, described the theme as both timely and relevant.
He said seafarers remain among the least visible contributors to global economic development despite their indispensable role in sustaining international trade.
"Today, we at Seamate Maritime Integrated Services Limited join the international maritime community in celebrating Nigerian seafarers serving onboard merchant vessels, tankers, offshore support vessels, container ships, coastal vessels, fishing fleets, dredgers, and specialized maritime platforms across the globe.
"We honour their professionalism. We recognize their resilience. We celebrate their contribution. And we acknowledge their sacrifices," he said.
Olubowale concluded by calling for a renewed national commitment to place Nigerian seafarers at the centre of maritime development, saying the Day of the Seafarer should serve as a catalyst for policies that strengthen maritime manpower development and secure the future of Nigeria's Blue Economy.
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