The NSML Maritime Centre of Excellence (MCOE) on Bonny Island is being hailed as a “positive disruptor” in Africa’s maritime manpower development, with 272 cadets already completing sea-time training and the facility now holding multiple international accreditations.
The Managing Director of NLNG Ship Management Limited, NSML, Abdulkadir Kere Ahmed, made this known recently while presenting a paper titled “Overview of the NSML MCOE: Positive Disruption in Africa’s Maritime Manpower Development” at the 2026 Maritime Training Institute hosted by the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria, AMJON, in Lagos
Ahmed noted that while Africa holds a strategic maritime position and extensive coastline, the continent has continued to struggle with producing enough internationally certified seafarers due to limited training access, inadequate simulators, and a lack of sea-time opportunities
“Against this backdrop, the NSML MCOE emerged as a strategic response to these systemic challenges,” he said.
“It was designed to provide world-class maritime expertise and develop globally competitive maritime professionals for Nigeria, West Africa, and beyond.”
Ahmed said the MCOE departs from conventional classroom-only training by combining simulator-based learning, sea-time development, certification support, research, consultancy, and industry collaboration.
The centre holds DNV accreditation for ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management, Maritime Simulator Centre and Maritime Training Centre standards. It is also accredited by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency for six courses, the Nautical Institute for Dynamic Positioning, and the maritime authorities of the Marshall Islands and Bermuda for specialized courses. Locally, it is accredited by NIMASA.
“For African maritime professionals, this means access to world-class qualifications without the traditional necessity of travelling abroad for specialist training,” Ahmed stated.
“This democratization of access to quality certification represents a major step forward.”Bridging the Sea-Time GapA major bottleneck in seafarer certification — sea-time — is being addressed through the MCOE’s Seafarers Continuous Development Programme, SCDP.
Run in partnership with NIMASA and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, the programme has facilitated sea-time for 272 cadets, with another 54 currently in college or onboard vessels working toward Certificates of Competency.NSML said it remains the largest employer of qualified Nigerian seafarers, with over 700 employed as of August 2026, in line with its “Nigerianisation agenda.”Technology and Research as Multipliers
The centre has invested in advanced bridge simulators, engine room simulators, and DP systems to allow trainees to practice emergency response and complex vessel operations in risk-sensitive environments.
Beyond training, MCOE also functions as a research and consultancy hub, providing services in shipbuilding supervision, dry docking, vessel lifecycle support, and crew management. Ahmed said this ensures training remains aligned with industry realities.
Regional Hub and Expansion PlansAhmed said the MCOE is positioning itself as a regional hub for West Africa and is attracting interest as one of the few institutions with such a breadth of global accreditations.
Supported by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, the centre has begun an expansion project to increase capacity, introduce new courses, and ensure “most, if not all, international maritime certifications are obtainable in-country.
”“Institutions such as the NSML MCOE will play a critical role in shaping the next generation of maritime professionals and ensuring the continent contributes meaningfully to the future of global shipping,” Ahmed concluded.
