The Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) has inaugurated a new national executive led by Captain Olajide Olugunwa, honoured distinguished maritime professionals, and pledged to strengthen indigenous shipping, seafarer welfare and Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.
The inauguration, held in Apapa, Lagos on Saturday, also featured the conferment of fellowships and honorary distinctions on prominent industry figures, including Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Professor Abiodun Sule, former Executive Director, Marine and Operations of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Captain Olugbemiga Abidoye, and the Chairman of Starzs Investments Company Limited, Engineer Greg Ogbeifun.
Other honourees included former Minister of Interior and Chairman of Integrated Oil and Gas, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho; former Managing Director of NPA and Chairman of the Mission to Seafarers, Lagos, Chief Adebayo Sarumi; and the Ogoga of Ikere and Chairman of the Ekiti Council of Obas, Oba Adejimi Adu.
The association also recognised other industry leaders and admitted new corporate members.
In his inaugural speech, Olugunwa described his election as a call to service, pledging to unite members, improve seafarers’ welfare and position NAMM as a credible technical adviser to the Federal Government.
He identified the completion and furnishing of the association’s permanent secretariat as a key priority, describing it as a future centre for maritime research, professional development, policy support and mentoring.
Olugunwa also pledged to collaborate with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, to address challenges affecting seafarers’ access to sea-time training, internationally recognised Certificates of Competency and career progression.
He further promised to promote effective implementation of the Cabotage Act and strengthen collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, NIMASA and other stakeholders on maritime security, wreck removal and navigational safety.
Representing the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, Dunsin Bolaji of NIOMR urged master mariners to play a central role in implementing Nigeria’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy.
Bolaji said the policy, approved by the Federal Executive Council in May 2025, targets annual growth of seven per cent and the creation of at least 100,000 jobs yearly, with a strong focus on youth and inclusive participation.
He also reported that revenue from agencies under the Ministry rose from about ₦700 billion in 2023 to more than ₦1.83 trillion in 2025.
He attributed Nigeria’s more than four-year stretch without piracy in the Gulf of Guinea to sustained maritime security efforts, including the Deep Blue Project, and urged NAMM to contribute its expertise to policy development, professional training and the fight against maritime crime.
In a presentation on port development and economic growth, a former NPA General Manager, Marine, Captain Iheanacho Ebubeogu, warned that ageing infrastructure, congestion, shallow channels and manual processes had weakened Nigeria’s competitiveness, allowing neighbouring West African ports to attract cargo.
He highlighted proposed port rehabilitation projects, digital reforms through the National Single Window and Port Community System, and the need for smarter, greener ports linked to improved road and rail networks.
In his own presentation, former Executive Director, Marine and Operations of NPA, Captain Olugbemiga Abidoye called for urgent institutional preparation for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships, warning that Nigeria’s ports risked falling behind technological developments without appropriate laws, cybersecurity safeguards, operational standards and emergency-response procedures.
Presenting findings from a pilot assessment at Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, Abidoye said institutional readiness scored 1.9 out of five.
He stressed that the assessment was limited in scope and was not an official International Maritime Organization (IMO) rating.
He urged the Federal Government to establish a national readiness programme, supported by coordinated training, inter-agency cooperation and carefully controlled trials.