In a bid to strengthen the capacity and capabilities of Nigerian Seafarers, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has dispatched 235 Nigerians to India and Greece to be trained as Deck, Engine officers  and Naval Architects  under the Nigerian Seafarers Development  Programme (NSDP).
Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, who disclosed this during their sendoff ceremony christened NSDP phase 3 in Lagos, noted that the Federal Government’s decision to continue with the project is based on the role its playing in developing capacity for the Nigerian maritime industry.
“The success of this laudable policy cannot be overemphasised. Therefore, the Federal Ministry of Transportation will continue to encourage and partner with NIMASA on NSDP and other policies on the development of a sustainable maritime-based economy he said.
The Ministry, he said, explicitly gave its nod on the expansion of the programme by another set of 435 new students to be recruited into the NSDP.
“The flag-off of the 3rd phase of the Program, christened ‘NSDP Terra’, “marks another milestone in the development of manpower in line with the Federal Government’s policy on youth empowerment,” he said.
Jamoh noted that the agency was working with countries who were committed to an understanding for mutual recognition of Certificate of Competency in selecting the Institutes to train the beneficiaries.
“We have taken measures to ensure that all encumbrances experienced in previous phases of the programme are avoided in this new phase.
“These include improved recruitment process spread across the six geopolitical zones, introduction of a code of conduct for the beneficiaries, and most importantly, engaging maritime training institutions that offer shore-based training, shipboard training and the Certificate of Competency licensing to eliminate the long delay in securing sea time training berths that was experienced with the previous set of students.
“NIMASA comparatively got the most reasonable cost for the training and in countries with mutual recognition of CoC with Nigeria.
“It is important to note that from inception to 2020, the programme has enrolled 2,041 students, with 892  now licensed deck and engine officers, including naval architects.
“The rest are in their final stage of the programme. It may please the Minister to know that about 486 of the graduates are now gainfully employed and sailing in both coastal and ocean going vessels,” he said.
He stated further that over 40 NSDP beneficiaries are employed by NLNG Ship Management Limited.
NSDP was created in 2008 when Dr. Ade Dosunmu served as the Director General of NIMASA.
“The programme was designed to train Nigerian youths up to degree level in Marine Engineering, Nautical Sciences and Naval Architecture”, he said.

By: Chinedu Wosu