The Maritime Centre of Excellence (MCOE), operated by NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML), has received international certification from the United Kingdom Nautical Institute. This achievement is expected to enhance Nigeria's global maritime training capacity and the competitiveness of its seafarers.
Certification Announcement
Abdulkadir Ahmed, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NSML, announced the certification during a press conference in Lagos. He stated that this milestone would strengthen Nigeria's position in the global maritime industry and affirm the competitiveness of the country's training standards and expertise.
Ahmed explained that internationally recognized certifications would improve the employability and mobility of Nigerian maritime professionals, enabling them to access opportunities across global shipping fleets and offshore operations. He added that the certification would also reduce reliance on foreign training institutions while supporting local capacity development and reinforcing safety, professionalism, and operational readiness within the maritime sector.
Dynamic Positioning Programmes
Ahmed disclosed that the license from the UK Nautical Institute would enable MCOE to deliver key Dynamic Positioning (DP) programmes, including induction, simulator, revalidation, and vessel maintenance courses. He noted that the facility is currently the only institute in West Africa with this level of Nautical Institute accreditation for DP training.
“Maritime operations demand discipline, technical competence, and continuous learning. The certifications obtained by the MCOE affirm that the professionals trained here meet high international expectations in performance, safety, and operational readiness,” he said.
Validation of Training Quality
Ahmed noted that the certification validates the quality and international relevance of training programmes offered by the MCOE, which was established as a hub for maritime training, research, and competence development. According to him, the centre serves maritime professionals from Nigeria, West Africa, and beyond. The facility is equipped with advanced simulators and modern training infrastructure designed to support the continuous professional development of seafarers and other maritime personnel through a growing portfolio of mandatory and specialised courses.
“This latest certification from the UK Nautical Institute is a strong validation of the quality, rigour, and relevance of the training delivered at the Centre. It confirms that the MCOE meets internationally accepted standards for competence development and operational excellence,” Ahmed said.
Previous Accreditations
Ahmed noted that the certification builds on previous accreditations already secured by the centre, including certifications from DNV under the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System and the DNV-ST-0029 standards for Maritime Simulator and Training Centres. The NSML boss further revealed that the centre offers a range of specialised courses accredited by the UK 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 at both operational and management levels.
Broader Impact on Nigeria's Economy
Beyond the maritime industry, Ahmed noted that a stronger and more skilled workforce would contribute to trade, shipping, offshore operations, and the growth of Nigeria's blue economy, creating jobs and enhancing national competitiveness. Ahmed attributed the success to sustained investment in infrastructure, curriculum development, instructor capacity, and quality assurance systems, stressing that the goal was to build a true centre of excellence capable of meeting global standards.
Looking ahead, he said NSML remained committed to further strengthening the centre, expanding access to maritime training for young Nigerians, and deepening partnerships that align with international best practices. He said the company’s ambition is clearly to build a maritime institution in Nigeria that is respected across the global maritime community.
