NAMM: “Unity, Legacy and Global standards Our Shared Vision”-Capt. Olajide Olugunwa

President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariner, NAMM, Captain Olajide Olugunwa, has assume the leadership role assigned him by members of t NAMM, promising to unite members and strengthen the profession/association.

 

Addressing members at its 2026 Annual General Meeting and Inauguration of new executives of the Association in Lagos, Olugunwa said he is ready and well prepared to serve

His words “I accept this responsibility not as a personal honour alone, but as a call to service: a call to unite our members, strengthen our profession and advance the contribution of Master Mariners to Nigeria’s maritime development.  Fostering Internal Cohesion and Bridging Divides to become a formidable force externally, we must first strengthen our bonds internally. Accordingly, internal cohesion will be the immediate and foundational priority of this administration”

 

Unfolding his plans and vision for NAMM, Capt. Olajide Olugunwa promised to fully utilize the the resoucefullness of members of the Association to achieve his dream for all members.

According to him, “We will deliberately harness the full strength of our membership: the institutional wisdom of our veterans, the practical resourcefulness of our mid-career mariners and the technological agility of our younger colleagues. Through inclusive, cross-functional committees and purposeful engagement, every Master Mariner will have a voice, every contribution will be valued and our diversity will become a source of collective strength”

He further spoke on his plans and developmental agenda for the Association:

New Secretariat

An Association of professionals of our standing deserves a home that reflects its history, dignity and aspirations. The completion and furnishing of the NAMM Permanent Secretariat will therefore be a defining mid-term priority of this administration. The Secretariat will be more than bricks and mortar. It will serve as a centre for technical research, professional engagement, maritime policy makers support base, mentoring and institutional continuity. It will also stand as an enduring symbol of pride for present and future generations of Nigerian Master Mariners.

Advancing Seafarer Welfare, Training and Career Progression

We must close the gap between local realities and international maritime standards. Too many Nigerian seafarers experience prolonged delays in obtaining the sea time required for certification, securing globally competitive Certificates of Competency (CoCs) and progressing smoothly through their careers.

 

This administration will engage constructively with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, to support more efficient training pathways, promote access to critical upskilling opportunities and address structural bottlenecks that hinder career progression.

We will also strengthen mentoring and professional guidance within NAMM, enabling younger mariners to learn from the experience of accomplished members and prepare confidently for leadership at sea and ashore.

 

Blue Economy and Safer Waterways

Nigeria’s maritime sector is central to the country’s economic future. As seasoned practitioners and technical experts, NAMM must contribute more deliberately to national policy, industry performance and the safe use of our waterways.

We will position the Association as a credible technical advisory partner to the Federal Government, particularly the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. Our interventions will be practical, evidence-based and rooted in the operational experience of our members.

We will advocate for effective implementation of the Cabotage Act in support of indigenous participation and the professional advancement of Nigerian mariners. We will also deepen collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, NIMASA and other relevant stakeholders, sharing frontline expertise to promote wreck removal, stronger maritime security and safe, predictable navigation across Nigerian waters.

 

A Shared Voyage

Distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen. The task before us is demanding, but the depth of knowledge, experience and goodwill within this Association is greater. Our success will depend not on one office or one individual, but on our willingness to work together with discipline, mutual respect and a shared sense of purpose. Let us unite our members. Let us complete our permanent home. Let us raise professional standards, support the next generation and ensure that the voice of the Master Mariner is heard wherever decisions affecting our industry are made.

 

“Together, we will steer NAMM towards unity, legacy and global standards” Capt. Olajide Olugunwa concluded.