Managing Director/CEO, NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited NSML, Abdulkadir Kere Ahmed.

NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited NSML, has said that its Maritime Centre of Excellence MCOE, through its multidimensional contributions represents a positive disruptor in maritime manpower development in the entire African continent.

Speaking at a one-day conference organised by the Association of Maritime Journalists of NigeriaAMJON, in Lagos, Friday, Managing Director/CEO of the Company, Abdulkadir Kere Ahmed, observed that positive disruption occurs only when innovative solutions challenge traditional limitations and create new opportunities for growth and advancement

He insists that MCOE exemplifies this concept through its multidimensional contributions to maritime manpower development.

Presenting a paper entitled: ‘Overview of the NSML MCOE: Positive Disruption in Africa’s Maritime Manpower Development’, the CEO, who was represented by the Manager, Maritime Centre of Excellence, Bonny, Dr Effiong Ekanem-Attah, noted that the MCOE emerged as a strategic response to the systemic challenges faced within the continent.

“Despite Africa’s strategic maritime position and extensive coastline, the continent has struggled to produce enough internationally certified seafarers and maritime professionals. Many aspiring seafarers face barriers such as limited access to quality training, inadequate simulator facilities, accreditation challenges, and a lack of practical sea-time opportunities.

“You also know that the global maritime industry is highly regulated, technology-driven, and dependent on a skilled workforce capable of operating under international standards. As international shipping continues to evolve through digitalisation, decarbonisation, automation, and enhanced safety requirements, the demand for competent maritime professionals is increasing globally.

“It was against this backdrop that the MCOE was established as a one-stop maritime research, consultancy, and training institution on Bonny Island, Nigeria, and was designed to provide world-class maritime expertise and develop globally competitive maritime professionals for Nigeria, West Africa, and beyond”, the MD said.

He listed the Africa’s maritime manpower challenges to include insufficient access to internationally accredited maritime training institutions, limited exposure to modern maritime technologies and simulators and a shortage of quality sea-time opportunities for cadets.

Others include gaps between classroom learning and operational realities, dependence on foreign expertise for specialised maritime operations and limited pathways for continuous professional development, among others.

According to him, these challenges have hindered the ability of African maritime professionals to compete effectively in the global maritime labour market. Consequently, many shipping companies operating in and out of Africa have relied heavily on expatriate personnel for critical technical and operational roles.

He also posited that addressing these gaps requires more than conventional training. “It demands a comprehensive ecosystem that integrates education, certification, practical exposure, mentorship, technology, research, and industry partnerships. The NSML MCOE has distinguished itself by adopting exactly such a holistic approach.”

Insisting that the Institute is a positive disruptor, the MD said: “Unlike conventional training centres that focus primarily on classroom delivery, the MCOE combines Maritime training, simulator-based learning, sea-time development, professional certification support, maritime research, consultancy services and Industry collaboration.

“This integrated model has elevated maritime manpower development from a fragmented process into a structured talent pipeline capable of producing internationally competitive professionals, supporting our operations at NSML and providing a model that can be replicated suitably.”

It was gathered that one of the most significant disruptions introduced by the MCOE is its achievement of internationally recognised accreditations, which enhanced the entrenchment of global standads.

Currently, the Centre holds accreditation from DNV under: ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, DNV-ST-0029 Maritime Simulator Centre, DNV-ST-0029 Maritime Training Centre. This is in addition to securing UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency MCA, accreditation for six maritime courses, Nautical Institute accreditation for Dynamic Positioning programmes, Marshall Islands accreditation for maritime training courses, Bermuda accreditation for gas tanker operations training and the NIMASA accreditation as a Maritime Training Institute.

“These accreditations position the MCOE among a select group of maritime institutions capable of delivering training that meets globally accepted standards.

“For African maritime professionals, this means access to world-class qualifications without the traditional necessity of travelling abroad for specialist training. This democratisation of access to quality certification represents a major step forward in maritime human capital development”, the NSML boss said.

While assuring that the Company would continue to leverage advanced maritime technology, the MD argued that modern shipping operations increasingly depend on sophisticated technologies. “Recognising this reality, the MCOE invested in state-of-the-art maritime training infrastructure, including advanced bridge simulators, engine room simulators, and Dynamic Positioning DP, systems.

“These facilities enable maritime professionals to simulate real-life operational scenarios, practice emergency response procedures, develop navigational competencies, build confidence in complex vessel operations and enhance decision-making capabilities in risk-sensitive environments.

“The use of advanced simulation technology narrows the gap between theoretical learning and practical application, ensuring trainees acquire competencies directly relevant to real-world maritime operations”, he said.

NSML has also continued to bridge the sea-time gap, locally, as it strongly believes that one of the most persistent bottlenecks in maritime manpower development in Africa is access to sea-time experience required for professional certification.

To this effect, the MCOE’s flagship Seafarers Continuous Development Programme SCDP, directly addresses this challenge.

It was gathered that through strategic partnerships with organisations including NIMASA and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, the programme supports cadets on their journey toward obtaining Certificates of Competency CoC.

Available statistics show that as at today, 272 cadets have completed sea-time training through the programme, while 54 cadets are either currently at college or onboard vessels progressing toward their professional certification.

“By creating structured pathways from classroom learning to vessel deployment, the MCOE has significantly strengthened Nigeria’s and Africa’s maritime talent pipeline.

“Furthermore, NSML has consistently pursued a Nigerianisation agenda by developing local maritime manpower capable of performing to international standards. As of August 2026, NSML employs over 700 seafarers and remains the largest employer of qualified Nigerian seafarers. Its targeted goal of maintaining significant Nigerian participation in managed vessel operations demonstrates how manpower development can create both economic and strategic national value”, Ahmed said.

 Speaking on regional impact and Africa’s maritime future, he said: “The significance of the MCOE extends beyond Nigeria. As one of the few institutions in West Africa with its breadth of international accreditations and advanced training infrastructure, the centre is attracting attention as a regional hub for maritime excellence.

“Its model demonstrates how African institutions can deliver globally benchmarked maritime training to develop indigenous expertise and retain training investments within Africa, while building sustainable maritime workforce pipelines. By providing internationally recognised training locally, the MCOE contributes to a broader transformation of Africa’s maritime manpower ecosystem.”

Also speaking on the Centre’s future outlook, the MD/CEO said: “The MCOE’s influence is expected to expand further through planned facility development and service enhancement initiatives. Supported by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board NCDMB, the centre has begun steps toward an expansion project aimed at increasing capacity, introducing additional courses, and broadening service offerings, so as to ensure that most, if not all international maritime certifications are obtainable in country.

“The NSML Maritime Centre of Excellence represents one of the most significant interventions in Africa’s maritime manpower development landscape. Through international accreditation, advanced simulation technology, structured cadet development programmes, sea-time opportunities, consultancy services, and a commitment to indigenous capacity building, the centre has introduced a model that effectively addresses longstanding deficiencies in maritime human capital development.

“Its success also demonstrates that sustainable maritime capacity development requires more than training institutions alone. It demands an integrated ecosystem that combines technology, practical exposure, mentorship, certification, research, and industry collaboration. By delivering this holistic approach, the NSML MCOE has become a positive disruptor and a benchmark for maritime workforce development in Africa.

“As Africa seeks to strengthen its position within the global maritime economy, institutions such as the NSML MCOE will play a critical role in shaping the next generation of maritime professionals and ensuring the continent contributes meaningfully to the future of global shipping.”