The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Princess (Mrs.) Adebopo Oyekan-Ismaila, has urged educators across Nigeria to integrate maritime education into the school curriculum, saying it holds the key to unlocking new career pathways and economic opportunities for young Nigerians.
She made the call at the Educators’ Conference themed “Unpacking the Opportunities in the Marine and Blue Economy for Educators,” organised by the Ocean Ambassadors Foundation (OAF) on Friday, in Lagos.
Oyekan-Ismaila described the conference as inspiring and transformative, noting that it exposed participants to the vast potential of the maritime and Blue Economy sectors.
According to her, Lagos – being a coastal state – has both the responsibility and advantage to pioneer maritime education by incorporating it into school programmes from the primary level.
Her words: “From an early age, our students should understand the importance of the maritime sector and the opportunities it holds. This is how we prepare a generation of innovators and problem-solvers who can harness our marine resources for national development.”
The TESCOM boss encouraged teachers, school owners, and administrators to create maritime clubs in schools and adopt innovative teaching methods that will make maritime studies exciting and relatable to students.
Earlier, the President of Ocean Ambassadors Foundation, Hon. Olaitan Williams, said the conference was designed to help educators understand and navigate the emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s marine and blue economy sector.
She stressed that guidance counselors and principals play pivotal roles in directing students toward careers in maritime law, tourism, logistics, and aquaculture, adding that “maritime education will soon sit on every educator’s table.”
A former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Barr. Temisan Omatseye, also emphasized the importance of technical and vocational skills in the maritime industry.
He noted that career success in the sector is driven more by specialization than by academic degrees.
“A secondary school leaver can start as a roustabout, earn about $500 monthly, and rise through the ranks with training and sea time,” he said, urging educators to enlighten students and parents about these life-changing opportunities.
The summit also featured enlightening sessions by resource persons including; Assoc. Prof. (Mrs.) Ogochukwu Ugbonna, School of Transport and Logistics, Lagos State University (LASU); Principal Consultant, Etcetera Consults Limited, Dr. Alban Igwe; and the Director General of Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS), Mrs. Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike.
After a 5-hour intense training exercise, the participants were also treated to a beautiful, yet educative, boat ride along the Apapa port coastline in a tugboat managed by LTT Coastal and Marine Services Limited.
Other maritime bigwigs who graced the event were; a former Director, Internal Audit, NIMASA, Mrs. Olamide Odunsanya; former Port Manager, Apapa Port, NPA, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olotu; Group Head, Human Resources Management, LTT Coastal and Marine Services Ltd, Mrs. Theodora Nwaeze; Publisher, MMS Plus newspaper, Mr. Kingsley Anaroke; among others.
