Listen to story here
Nigeria’s maritime industry is set for a high-level examination of its persistent policy implementation failures, seafarer employment crisis, vessel registration bottlenecks, inadequate shipping capacity and port efficiency challenges as global industry leaders, national regulators and diverse maritime experts converge in Lagos for the 2026 National Convention of the Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO).
The three-day convention, scheduled for November 12–14 at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, is expected to provide a platform for industry bigwigs to interrogate longstanding challenges and develop practical strategies for translating Nigeria’s maritime policies into measurable economic and operational outcomes.
Speaking during a pre-convention press briefing at the secretariat of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Lagos, on Saturday, AMANO President, Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa, stressed that the industry must move beyond signing international agreements, ratifying conventions and establishing regulatory institutions to ensuring that such initiatives deliver tangible benefits.
He challenged maritime stakeholders to scrutinise the actual provisions and implementation of the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) Nigeria has signed with other countries, noting that the title of an agreement does not necessarily reveal its scope or benefits.
Using the recent MoU with between Ghana and Canada as an example, Maiguwa explained that maritime agreements could cover several areas, including recognition of seafarers’ certificates, flag registration and the appointment of surveyors to conduct inspections on behalf of another maritime administration.
He, however, urged maritime journalists to investigate the precise provisions of such agreements being entered by Nigeria to establish whether they are translating into improved opportunities for Nigerian seafarers.
On vessel registration, the AMANO president acknowledged the additional statutory and security requirements associated with Nigeria’s closed ship registry but insisted that the process should not exceed two weeks.
“I do not agree that the process should take more than two weeks,” he said, arguing that prolonged registration procedures impose unnecessary commercial costs on shipowners by keeping vessels away from revenue-generating operations.
Beyond regulatory bottlenecks, Maiguwa identified inadequate vessel availability and limited cargo opportunities as fundamental obstacles to seafarer employment and the growth of indigenous shipping.
He remarked that the industry’s challenge extends beyond providing statutory sea-time training to cadets, insisting that Nigeria must develop a sustainable shipping market capable of supporting vessel investments and generating employment.
Similarly, the AMANO President cautioned that releasing the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) without addressing the availability of cargo and viable shipping opportunities could expose beneficiaries to financial risks, including loan defaults and asset seizures.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Planning Committee for the convention, Chief Jonathan Agassi, posited that the event themed “From Policy to Practice: Executing Maritime Excellence through Professional Capability and Real-World Results,” will focus on two major areas: implementing International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards with measurable national results and strengthening professional competence through effective training policies.
He said the organisers deliberately selected practitioners with proven experience in translating maritime policies into practical outcomes, rather than limiting the discussions to theoretical presentations.
The President of World Maritime University, Mr. Maximo Mejia and Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola CON, are scheduled to serve as Special Guests of Honour.
Speakers include; an IMO Consultant and former Nigerian representative at the IMO, Mr. William Azuh; and the Deputy General Manager, Marine, Total Energies, Mr. Larry Amaraibi.
Panelists include; the Secretary General of the Abuja MOU on Port State Control for West and Central African Region, Capt. Sunday Umoren; Director General of Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS), Mrs. Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike; Managing Director, STARZS Investment Company Limited, Iroghama Ogbeifun; with the Executive Director, Technical and Operations, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Capt. Warredi Enisuoh; serving as Moderator.
The association has stressed that one of the objectives of the summit is to produce actionable recommendations identifying specific responsibilities and measurable targets for government and industry stakeholders.
AMANO expressed optimism that the 2026 convention would mark a departure from the industry’s familiar cycle of policy formulation and unimplemented resolutions by establishing practical pathways towards improved maritime performance.
