“Partnering For National Development is Part of Our DNA”-Abdulkadir Ahmed

The NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Ltd, NSML,  has consistently been very intentional on its commitment to ensure that Nigerian Seafarers are trained to the highest level possible in the world and positioning them to compete at par with their counterparts irrespective of which institution they graduate from.

For many the distinction between the NLNG and NSML is unclear. The Managing Director/CEO of NSML explains

L/R: Dr. Charles Okorefe, Maritime Expert and Senior Lecturer at the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, Abdulkadir Ahmed, MD/CEO NLNG Shipping and Marine Serves Ltd and Dr. Isichei Osamgbi,  of NIMASA at a public function

“NSML is a subsidiary of NLNG, primarily responsible for shipping and maritime services and operations, and the aim of the creation is simply to develop and domesticate the global skillsets when it comes to shipping and marine services, which are critical to the Blue Economy”

NSML Management with the Ag Rector, MAN

“Nigeria as a country of 200 million people, with over 50% of our people below the age of 25, requires us to sustainably develop our resources in such a way that we can provide the means of livelihood for this vast majority of people. To effectively do that, there has to be a focus on the development of capacity and skill set”, the NSML boss said.

Representative of the Honourable Minister, Director, Information & PR, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Anastasia Ogbonna (m front row), flanked by the Acting Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Dr. Kevin Okonna (r,), Managing Director, NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML), Abdulkadir Ahmed (l), and Members of Academy’s Management with first batch of thirty (30) cadets from Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, inducted by NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML) for their mandatory one-year sea-time experience.

For us to really move this sector forward, it is important that there is clarity, a level playing field, competitiveness, and a drive towards efficiency, safety and security”, he said.

 Maritime Centre of Excellence

The MCOE is NSML’s proactive approach to bridging the knowledge and skills gap. Through its Maritime Centre of Excellence (MCOE) in Bonny, Rivers State, NSML is delivering UK-accredited and STCW 2010 compliant training to Nigerian seafarers, enabling them to remain competitive globally. With over 200 cadets already trained and a substantial proportion absorbed directly into NSML’s operations, the centre is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on foreign certification and supporting the country’s broader maritime ambitions.

Flanked by the Cadets are L/R: Ag Rector, of the Academy, Dr. Kelvin Okonna, MD/CEO of NSML, Abdulkadir Ahmed and the VC, NMU, Prof. Florence Oluwafemi

The MD explains that the MCOE features one of Africa’s most advanced simulation systems, offering real-time training in bridge operations, engine room dynamics, cargo handling, and crisis response. According to him, this ensures not just compliance with international standards but also fosters confidence and competence among cadets and seasoned professionals alike.

 Beyond training, Mr. Ahmed outlined NSML’s broader contribution to the maritime industry. These include its supervision of the construction of modern LPG vessels, strategic fleet renewal using dual-fuel, energy-efficient ships, and commitment to alternative fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia in alignment with IMO 2030 and 2050 targets.

He also noted the company’s industry recognition, strategic partnerships with NIMASA and global maritime institutions, and its support for initiatives like Nigeria’s ship registry reform and the Deep Blue Project, aimed at boosting maritime security.

Further reiterating the importance of the MCOE at the recent induction of 30 Cadets of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, the NSML CEO said “The establishment of the Maritime Centre of Excellence was anchored on a simple but powerful vision: to build a premier maritime training institution that delivers world class programmes, produces capable professionals, and supports the long term sustainability of the maritime workforce. Through the MCOE, NSML has continued to raise the bar, offering specialized courses, simulator-based training, and professional development pathways that match international best practices.

Partnership With MAN

Speaking on the deliberate, well intentioned partnership with MAN, Ahmed emphasized that “This partnership with MAN Oron strengthens that aspiration, it brings together two institutions that share a common philosophy that the future of the maritime sector depends on how well we train, mentor, and empower young Nigerians. It also reflects the progressive thinking of both organizations to invest consistently in human capital, to strengthen local capacity, and to contribute meaningfully to the growth of Nigeria’s maritime industry”

“For us in NSML, this initiative aligns squarely with our purpose and our organizational values of developing qualified, competent, and safety-conscious seafarers.  This is not just an activity it is part of the DNA of NSML, it is who we are, and why we exist, every investment we make in training reinforces our commitment to excellence, operational safety, and national development” the NSML boss emphasized.

NSML’s strides in manpower development for Nigeria’s maritime industry are gigantic and well entrenched. The call by well meaning stakeholders for other players in the sector to emulate the company’s efforts are therefore not misplaced.