UK training, sea-time slots lift MAN cadets

NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Ltd (NSML) has inducted 21 Nigerian cadets for overseas training and sea-time leading to Certificates of Competency (CoC), while Nigerian shipowners separately offered over 60 sea-time slots to cadets of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron.

The development, which industry stakeholders describe as a watershed for maritime human capital, follows a national screening exercise by NSML that selected 13 cadets from MAN, Oron, and eight from the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, for United Kingdom-based training and sea service.

Speaking at the induction ceremony held in Lagos, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NSML, Abdulkadir Ahmed, said the programme was a strategic response to a growing global shortage of skilled seafarers.

“It is another expression of our commitment and contribution to national development which we continue to demonstrate in different sectors of our economy. This induction is a direct response by NSML to the issues, challenges and yawning deficit of seafarers globally which we believe needs urgent attention to avoid the manpower dangers threatening shipping in the world,” Ahmed said.

He noted that NSML’s investment in cadetship was aimed at domesticating international shipping competencies and positioning Nigeria for global relevance in maritime manpower supply.