The Federal Government has reinforced its commitment to improving the welfare and career prospects of Nigerian seafarers, with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) announcing a more than 150 per cent wage increase for seafarers.

The announcement came during the official launch of the digitised Seafarers’ Discharge Book platform.

The development unveiled at the 2026 Day of the Seafarer celebration in Lagos, underscores government’s broader strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime workforce, modernise maritime administration and position more Nigerian seafarers for opportunities in the global shipping industry.


The government also disclosed that plans are at an advanced stage to establish a national shipping carrier through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, a move expected to boost indigenous participation in international shipping, expand sea-time opportunities and reduce capital flight from the sector.

At the event, themed, “Carrying World Trade, Carrying the Risk,” maritime stakeholders unanimously stressed that investing in seafarers’ welfare, training and employment remains critical to unlocking the country’s maritime and blue economy potential.

Representing the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, the Executive Director, Marine Safety and Security at the ministry, Musa Makoji, said the government remains focused on creating sustainable employment opportunities for Nigerian seafarers while strengthening the country’s participation in global shipping.

According to him, seafarers remain indispensable to global commerce, facilitating the movement of more than 85 per cent of world trade despite increasing operational, security and geopolitical challenges.

He disclosed that the ministry was finalising arrangements for the establishment of a national shipping carrier through a PPP model, describing the initiative as a strategic intervention to curb the huge capital outflows associated with Nigeria’s dependence on foreign shipping lines.

“The initiative will create new opportunities for Nigerian seafarers by expanding sea-time placements, increasing employment prospects, developing local maritime expertise and providing a sustainable pathway for career advancement,” he said.

Oyetola noted that access to sea-time training remains one of the most significant challenges confronting aspiring Nigerian seafarers and assured stakeholders that the government was working with industry players to expand cadet berths and practical training opportunities.

He also emphasised the need to prioritise seafarers’ welfare, mental health and psychosocial support, while urging shipping companies and crewing agencies to uphold international labour standards and decent working conditions.

Earlier, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the global maritime industry depends heavily on seafarers, noting that more than 80 per cent of global trade by volume and over 70 per cent by value is transported by sea by an estimated two million seafarers worldwide.

Mobereola described the theme of this year’s celebration as timely and significant, saying it highlights both the indispensable role of seafarers and the growing risks they face while sustaining global supply chains.

He said the agency had continued to implement initiatives aimed at improving the competitiveness, welfare and professional development of Nigerian seafarers.

According to him, over 2,459 cadets have been trained and are undergoing training under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), while compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 remains a key priority.

The NIMASA Director-General further revealed that the National Joint Industrial Council had successfully incorporated the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) wage scale into the conditions of service for Nigerian seafarers, resulting in earnings increases of more than 150 per cent.

Mobereola also announced that the agency’s digitised Seafarers Discharge Book had officially gone live, marking a major milestone in the modernisation of maritime documentation and service delivery.

He said the initiative forms part of NIMASA’s broader digital transformation programme aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency and ease of access to seafarers’ records while aligning Nigeria’s maritime administration with global best practices.

In a goodwill message delivered virtually, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Arsenio Domínguez, said the 2026 theme resonates strongly with current realities confronting seafarers across the globe.

He noted that many seafarers now operate in regions affected by conflicts and geopolitical tensions, including the Red Sea, Black Sea and Strait of Hormuz, often facing prolonged periods at sea, uncertainty over crew changes and limited communication with their families.

Domínguez stressed that seafarers should never become unintended victims of geopolitical conflicts and reiterated that their safety and welfare remain a global priority.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Eshilokun, assured stakeholders of the National Assembly’s continued support for initiatives that promote maritime safety, indigenous shipping capacity, seafarer welfare and employment generation.

He said lawmakers would continue to back policies aimed at modernising port infrastructure, developing the blue economy and increasing the participation of Nigerian seafarers in international shipping.

Eshilokun also emphasised the need for greater investment in maritime education, certification and professional development programmes to enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian seafarers in the global labour market.

Representing the Chairman of the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Khadija Abba Ibrahim, the Deputy Chairman of the committee, Uduak Odudoh, described seafarers as the silent engine of Nigeria’s economy, noting that more than 90 per cent of the country’s international trade is transported by sea.

He said the House of Representatives remained committed to strengthening legal and institutional frameworks that protect the rights, welfare and safety of seafarers.

Odudoh noted that recent geopolitical tensions and disruptions to major shipping routes have further exposed the risks borne by seafarers, underscoring the need for stronger protection measures.

Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Dr Kevin Okonna, highlighted the institution’s role in producing the next generation of maritime professionals through internationally compliant education and training programmes.

Okonna said the academy remained committed to implementing global standards on training, certification and watchkeeping while equipping future seafarers with the skills required to operate safely in increasingly complex maritime environments.

Also speaking, President of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA), Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Igbokwe, described seafarers as the backbone of global trade and called for stronger protections for their welfare, safety and professional development.

Igbokwe commended NIMASA for its sustained investments in seafarer training, certification and welfare and pledged the association’s support for policies and legal frameworks that enhance the rights and working conditions of Nigerian seafarers.

Similarly, Secretary-General of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, Sunday Umoren, said seafarers’ contributions extend far beyond the maritime industry and are fundamental to global economic stability, food security and energy transportation.

According to him, recognising seafarers must go beyond ceremonial appreciation and translate into concrete actions that promote their welfare, dignity, safety, health and professional development.

Stakeholders at the event agreed that while seafarers remain the backbone of global trade, growing security threats, operational pressures and geopolitical uncertainties require stronger collaboration among governments, regulators, shipowners and maritime institutions to ensure that those who keep world trade moving are adequately protected, fairly treated and empowered to thrive.