Tantita Director Blames Vessel Shortage, Poor Certificate Recognition for Seafarers’ Job Crisis

As Nigeria prepares to mark the 2026 Day of the Seafarer, Director at Tantita Security Services, Capt. Enisuoh Waredi, has identified inadequate vessel availability and the poor international recognition of Nigerian maritime certificates as the two biggest obstacles preventing thousands of qualified Nigerian seafarers from securing employment.
Speaking on the challenges confronting the country’s maritime workforce, Waredi explained that employment opportunities within Nigeria are directly tied to the number of operational vessels flying the Nigerian flag, while international job prospects depend largely on globally recognised certifications and compliance with flag-state requirements. He stressed that unless Nigeria expands its indigenous shipping fleet and strengthens the global acceptability of its maritime qualifications, many trained seafarers will continue to struggle for employment despite their competence.
According to him, improving the international recognition of Nigerian maritime certificates would significantly increase opportunities for indigenous seafarers to work on foreign-going vessels and compete favourably in the global shipping industry. He expressed confidence that the outlook would gradually improve as more Nigerian seafarers gain international exposure and continue to demonstrate professionalism and competence aboard vessels worldwide.
Also lending his voice to the debate, Chief Jonathan Agassi Peter, Board Member of the Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO), described the lack of global recognition for Nigerian maritime certifications as one of the greatest barriers facing indigenous seafarers. He noted that many foreign shipping companies, and even some local operators, continue to place greater value on certificates obtained abroad, thereby limiting employment opportunities for locally trained professionals.
Peter further identified bureaucratic delays in certification processes, politicisation of maritime institutions, limited fleet capacity, high interest rates, inadequate access to shipping finance, ageing vessels and regulatory bottlenecks as factors discouraging investment in indigenous shipping and worsening unemployment.
He urged the Federal Government to provide affordable financing for shipowners, simplify regulatory documentation, strengthen maritime institutions and deepen collaboration with international maritime organisations to improve the global acceptance of Nigerian certificates and stimulate fleet expansion.
Meanwhile, the growing employment crisis has triggered fresh tensions between maritime regulators and organised labour. The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA) have announced plans to boycott the 2026 Day of the Seafarer celebration slated for June 25.
The unions accused the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) of neglecting seafarer development, failing to enforce maritime safety regulations and inadequately implementing the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) meant to safeguard the welfare of Nigerian seafarers.
They also criticised the agency for insufficient attention to the training of ratings, weak enforcement of industry safety standards and poor engagement with maritime employers, arguing that these shortcomings have left many Nigerian seafarers without fair wages, decent working conditions and adequate welfare protection.
Stakeholders insist that this year’s Day of the Seafarer should serve as a platform for meaningful reforms rather than mere celebration. They maintain that expanding Nigeria’s shipping fleet, securing wider international recognition for local certificates, strengthening regulatory institutions and enforcing labour standards remain critical to unlocking employment opportunities for the country’s growing population of trained seafarers.