The Federal Government has said it would come up with policies aimed at preventing harassment of seafarers in addition to enhancing the profession.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, disclosed this in his address at the 2025 Seafarers Day held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with the theme ‘My Harassment-Free Ship’
Oyetola further said the apex government will prioritise quality training by upgrading maritime institutions, expanding capacity-building programmes, and aligning seafarer education with international standards, saying harassment and bullying have no place in the Nigerian maritime industry.
The minister said, “Today, we celebrate you, our seafarers, not just for your labour but for your courage. We pledge to continue building a maritime sector that values, protects, and empowers you.
“We are committed to full compliance with the STCW Convention, including recent amendments mandating anti-harassment training onboard ships. These steps are vital to ensure our seafarers remain competitive and globally employable.
“Additionally, the government is investing in seafarers’ welfare through stronger regulation of recruitment and placement agencies, improving access to decent work, and collaborating with ship owners to guarantee fair treatment and onboard safety”.
He continued, “We are building digital platforms to connect seafarers with support networks and job opportunities worldwide, while advocating for improved working conditions through bilateral maritime agreements.”
Oyetola noted that the ministry is also actively supporting Nigerian participation in international shipping to increase sea-time opportunities for cadets and professionals, saying, “We are also advancing the welfare and rights of Nigerian seafarers.
“The recent Collective Bargaining Agreement, facilitated by NIMASA alongside industry unions and employers, sets a new benchmark for fair wages, decent working conditions, and improved dispute resolution.
“NIMASA continues to enforce flag and port state controls, and promote Nigeria’s presence in global shipping, ensuring our seafarers are well-protected and respected internationally”.
The Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the agency organised the event to honour seafarers for their immense contribution to both domestic and international trade, powering the blue economy and connecting nations across oceans.
Mobereola stated this year’s theme is apt, adding, “As it is a call to action to ensure that our seafarers feel safe, are valued and protected while at sea because the ship is not just their place of work; it is their temporary home”.
Mobereola said NIMASA must continue to play its part in ensuring that Nigeria contributes effectively to regulations affecting Seafarers.
“We remain the highest contributor of Seafarers in Africa. Our men and women sail on vessels in our domestic waters and also globally. This will continue to grow through the Nigerian Seafarers Development Program and the effort of our Maritime Training Institutions,” Mobereola.
He recalled that at the recently concluded 113th session of the International Labour Conference held in Geneva, seven amendments to the MLC 2006 code addressing a broad range of issues affecting seafarers, including the recognition of seafarers as key workers, improved protection against ship board violence and harassment, enhanced access to shore leave and repatriation and updated medical and occupational safety standards were approved by an overwhelming majority.
The seven amendments, according to him, reflect a collective global effort to align maritime labour standards with the evolving landscape of global shipping.
The NIMASA boss, however, called on ship owners, operators and crewing agencies to begin to review their operational manuals to align with these amendments ahead of the expected entry into force in December 2027, saying, “Our Seafarers must be able to report grievances without fear of retaliation, while also ensuring protection against vexations or malicious complaints”.
He assured, “NIMASA will play its role by establishing clear policies and procedures for preventing and addressing harassment on Nigerian-flagged vessels, ensuring confidential reporting channels for incidents of harassment and that reports are thoroughly investigated and addressed.”
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