The beneficiaries of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) have obtained Certificates of Competency (CoC).

The agency’s Deputy Director/Head, Public Relations, Osagie Edward, said on Wednesday that the Director General of the agency, Dr Dayo Mobereola, described them as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria and commended their character and professionalism.

This programme commenced in 2024 with the first batch of 40 cadets sent to Tyne Coast College, South Shields Marine School, United Kingdom, marking a significant milestone in resolving the longstanding challenge. Out of this number, 34 cadets passed.

At an engagement with the newly certified seafarers in Lagos, Mobereola commended their resilience and determination, having successfully navigated years of uncertainty to achieve professional certification.

He observed that while challenges could be perceived as obstacles, they can also serve as opportunities for growth, emphasising that the officers chose the latter path.

He explained, “You have weathered the storm; the future will be easier for you. We are proud of you.”

Mobereola charged the seafarers to remain disciplined and committed to excellence, urging them to serve as mentors to upcoming cadets within the maritime sector.

He stressed that the Nigerian maritime industry requires their expertise and reaffirmed that Nigerian seafarers possess the capacity to compete favourably on the global stage, provided they remain consistent and professional.

On behalf of his colleagues, one of the officers, Edet Uttibe Michael, expressed profound appreciation to the NIMASA management for addressing their prolonged challenges.

They recounted that after graduating from maritime institutions in Romania, they had remained without sea-time training and certification for about eight years.

According to him, the intervention of the current NIMASA management restored their hope and enabled them to realise their professional aspirations, noting that the director general was a compassionate and visionary leader who took decisive steps to resolve a longstanding issue that predated his tenure.

He said, “We came to express our sincere appreciation for your magnanimity. You gave us hope and made our dreams come true.”

The agency management initiated strategic interventions to address the sea-time and CoC challenges for the NSDP beneficiaries.