In a strategic move to tackle the critical shortage of skilled personnel in global shipping, NLNG Ship Management Limited (NSML) has officially relaunched its Seafarers Cadetship Development Programme (SCDP). The initiative, which saw the induction of 21 new cadets on 24 December 2025, is designed to build a competent Nigerian maritime workforce that can compete on the international stage.
Bridging the Global Manpower Divide
The revived programme aims to directly address the widening gap in skilled seafarers worldwide. The newly inducted cadets, comprising 13 from the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, in Akwa Ibom State, and 8 from the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU) in Delta State, will embark on practical seatime training aboard NLNG and NSML vessels overseas. This hands-on experience is crucial for upgrading their skills to navigate the rapidly evolving technological landscape of modern shipping.
Speaking at the induction ceremony, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NSML, Abdul-Kadir Ahmed, outlined the scheme's objectives. He described it as a comprehensive and structured learning programme engineered to equip young Nigerians with the requisite skills, knowledge, and expertise to excel in the dynamic maritime industry. Ahmed emphasized that the SCDP was originally conceived to develop competent Nigerian seafarers who meet global standards, ensuring the safe transport of energy products while building sustainable maritime capacity within the country.
A Wake-Up Call from the Philippines' Success
The event also featured strong calls for Nigeria to emulate global leaders in seafarer supply. Mr. Jubril Abba, the Executive Director of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), highlighted the urgent need for deeper investment in maritime manpower development. He pointed to the Philippines, which currently supplies about 25 per cent of the world's seafaring workforce, as a benchmark.
Abba stressed that the Philippines' dominance is no accident but the result of deliberate long-term training, supportive policies, and sustained human capacity development. He urged Nigeria to see this as a wake-up call to harness the significant economic potential of developing its maritime labour force, not just for national needs but for a lucrative share of the international shipping manpower market.
Academic Leaders Hail a Practical Solution
The revival of the programme has been warmly welcomed by heads of the participating maritime institutions, who see it as a direct solution to a perennial problem.
The Acting Rector of MAN Oron, Dr. Kevin Okonna, stated that the renewed placement opportunities would significantly tackle the long-standing challenge of securing seatime for cadets. He revealed that under the renewed agreement, the academy plans to train up to 40 cadets in batches, with no fewer than 20 cadets in the first phase. Okonna lamented that many Nigerian cadets had previously abandoned the profession after graduation due to the inability to secure these critical sea placements.
Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor of the Nigeria Maritime University, Prof. Flora Oluwafemi, praised the NSML initiative. She noted that the programme would finally expose NMU cadets to real-time industrial learning, moving beyond the theory-heavy approach that has long characterized Nigeria's educational system. She described the SCDP as a much-needed bridge between academic theory and vital real-sector experience.
This development is seen as a strong alignment with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) expectations, reinforcing the principle that competent human capital remains the undeniable backbone of the global shipping industry.
