Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal Government has affirmed its commitment to creating a harassment-free environment for Nigerian seafarers, both at home and abroad, as the country joined the global maritime community to mark the 2025 Day of the Seafarer.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said this year’s theme, “My Harassment-Free Ship,” underscores the collective responsibility of all maritime stakeholders to ensure ships are safe, respectful workplaces.
Oyetola said, “Harassment and bullying have no place in our maritime industry. We are committed to full compliance with the STCW Convention, including recent amendments mandating anti-harassment training onboard ships. These steps are vital to ensure our seafarers remain competitive and globally employable.”
The Minister noted that the Federal Government is investing in seafarer welfare by regulating recruitment agencies, improving access to decent jobs, and building digital platforms to connect Nigerian seafarers with global job opportunities.
He added that through bilateral maritime agreements and the facilitation of sea-time opportunities, the government was working to improve working conditions and boost Nigeria’s participation in international shipping.
“We are also advancing the welfare and rights of Nigerian seafarers. The recent Collective Bargaining Agreement, facilitated by NIMASA, sets a new benchmark for fair wages, decent working conditions, and improved dispute resolution,” he stated.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, described the Day of the Seafarer as a moment to honour the critical contributions of seafarers to global trade and the blue economy.
“Today reminds us all, government, employers, unions, shipowners, and civil society, that seafarers should not be left alone in their struggles. They look up to us to foster a culture of zero tolerance on ships to protect their dignity,” he said.
Mobereola emphasized Nigeria’s leading role as Africa’s largest contributor of seafarers to both domestic and international waters, adding that the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme, NSDP, and strengthened maritime training institutions were driving further growth in the sector.
He also pointed to the significance of the recently concluded 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva, where seven new amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, MLC 2006 were adopted, addressing violence, harassment, medical standards, repatriation, and shore leave.
He added: “These amendments reflect a collective global effort to align maritime labour standards with the evolving landscape of shipping,” he said, urging shipowners and crewing agencies to begin aligning their operational manuals with the new standards ahead of their enforcement in December 2027.
“To complement this, he revealed that NIMASA will establish clear procedures for preventing and addressing harassment onboard Nigerian-flagged vessels, including confidential reporting mechanisms and strict enforcement of investigative outcomes.
“A harassment-free ship is a cohesive ship. Our seafarers must be able to report grievances without fear of retaliation, while also being protected against vexatious or malicious complaints.”
Stakeholders present at the event included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, maritime unions, shipowners, and cadets from Nigerian maritime academies.
The event concluded with a resounding call for unity and decisive action in ensuring the rights and dignity of seafarers are upheld at all times.
