KNOWLEDGE SHORTAGE COULD UNDERMINE NIGERIA’S MARITIME INDUSTRY, AWIMERO WARNS

President of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, Dr. Ignatius Awimero, has warned that the shortage of specialised knowledge and skills poses a serious threat to the future growth of Nigeria’s maritime industry. He stressed the need for stronger investment in human capacity development to ensure that Nigerians can effectively take advantage of opportunities within the sector.

Awimero said the maritime industry requires a workforce with the technical knowledge and professional skills needed to operate modern ships, ports and other maritime facilities. According to him, the growing sophistication of the global shipping industry means Nigeria cannot rely solely on its existing manpower but must continuously train and equip professionals to meet international standards.

He noted that Nigeria has significant maritime potential because of its strategic location, large coastline and growing commercial activities. However, he warned that the benefits of the sector could remain limited if the country fails to close the knowledge and skills gap affecting many areas of maritime operations.

The shipowners’ leader called for closer cooperation among government agencies, educational institutions, industry operators and other stakeholders to strengthen maritime education and professional training. He also advocated practical training opportunities that would allow young Nigerians to gain the experience required to compete for jobs within the local and international maritime sectors.

Awimero maintained that developing a highly skilled workforce should be treated as a priority if Nigeria wants to build a stronger and more competitive maritime economy. He said closing the knowledge gap would not only improve the performance of the industry but also create employment opportunities, increase local participation and position Nigeria to benefit more from the global maritime economy.