Nigeria and other African countries account for only 78,000, or 7.8 percent, of the more than 1 million certified seafarers working on international merchant ships worldwide, according to the International Transport Workers Federation.
This was disclosed recently by the ITF Africa Regional Secretary Safiyanu Muhammed, in Lagos during a working visit to the National Secretariat of the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and the Water Transport Senior Staff Association in Lagos, when he accompanied Ms. Marie Barning, the London Project Coordinator of the Maritime Affiliate Support Project, according to The Punch.
This was disclosed by the ITF Africa Regional Secretary, Safiyanu Muhammed, on Tuesday, during a working visit to the National Secretariat of the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and the Water Transport Senior Staff Association in Lagos, when he accompanied the London Project Coordinator of the Maritime Affiliate Support Project, Ms. Marie Barning.
The meeting aimed at addressing some operational issues facing seafarers in the country, enhancing their welfare, and increasing their chances of becoming part of a global maritime transport industry, which was attended by the leadership of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria as well as merchant marine officers.
Muhammed explained that, unlike major seafaring nations, Africa lags in seafaring.
In addition, he said that the International Maritime Employers Council needed African seafarers for employment but raised concerns about the poor number of certified seafarers on the continent.
“Among the statistics that I have, roughly about 1 million certified seamen that we have globally, only 78,000 are Africans. You can’t compare this number with what we have in the Philippines and India, not to talk of Ukraine.
he explained “We have ships doing business here but you see foreigners working on board. Why? I understand there is a policy for a waiver but why do you have to give waivers when you have capable Nigerians that can do the job.”
Meanwhile, The President General of MWUN, Adewale Adeyanju, commended Barning for her visit, noting the positive impact of the MAS Project on Nigerian seafarers.
He promised that the unions would continue to work together to improve the welfare of seafarers in the country.
The Secretary General of MNOWTAN, John Aleakhue, commended the ITF representatives for the visit and also urged the federation’s support for the union within the maritime sector.
