The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has threatened to stage a protest at the headquarters of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in Victoria Island, Lagos, over alleged prolonged delays in the completion of training and certification requirements for more than 100 beneficiaries of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).
The planned protest, scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, 2026, is aimed at compelling the agency to resolve outstanding issues preventing the affected cadets from completing their professional qualifications and beginning careers in the maritime industry.
The IYC Chairman, Owen Napthali, made the call during a visit to NIMASA’s headquarters, urging the agency’s Director-General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, to intervene personally and ensure a lasting solution to the situation.
According to the council, more than 100 cadets have completed significant portions of their academic training and required sea-time experience but are still awaiting deployment to the Philippines to undertake outstanding Certificate of Competency (CoC) examinations and fulfil other professional requirements.
The council expressed concern that some of the affected beneficiaries had spent years preparing for careers at sea but remained unable to complete the final stages of their training.
The National Coordinator of the Niger Delta Civil Society Organisations, Okporu Augustine, also identified examination arrangements, funding, visa processing, travel logistics and other administrative procedures as issues reportedly contributing to the delays.
The IYC further questioned the outcome of verification exercises and engagements reportedly conducted in 2022 and 2025, arguing that the processes had not produced a satisfactory resolution for the affected cadets.
The council also alleged that some beneficiaries were asked to renew their international passports in preparation for deployment but were subsequently not deployed.
It called on NIMASA to clarify the status of the deployment arrangements and explain the reasons for the prolonged delays.
Beyond the outstanding certification requirements, the council called for transparency regarding funds reportedly approved for the completion of the NSDP.
It urged NIMASA to disclose the status of the funds and explain how the money was being utilised to address the remaining training, examination and deployment requirements.
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The IYC also demanded the release of approved funds for examinations, travel, accommodation, visa processing and other legitimate programme expenses.
In addition, the council called for a comprehensive status report identifying the outstanding requirements for each affected cadet, alongside a clear and definite deployment timetable.
It urged the agency to conclude all outstanding academic, training, examination and Certificate of Competency requirements for eligible beneficiaries without further delay.
The council maintained that the reported delays were affecting the careers and livelihoods of young Nigerians who enrolled in the programme with the expectation of becoming professionally qualified seafarers.
“Where public resources have been approved for the completion of the programme, the affected beneficiaries should be informed of the status of such funds and the steps being taken to deploy them for their intended purpose,” the council stated.
It added that the situation went beyond administrative concerns, stressing that the uncertainty was directly affecting the professional futures of the affected young Nigerians.
The Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme was established to train Nigerian youths as professionally qualified seafarers capable of contributing to the country’s maritime industry and the global shipping sector.
However, the IYC said the reported delays in completing the programme were undermining its objectives and leaving more than 100 beneficiaries uncertain about their future careers.
The allegations concerning funding, administrative bottlenecks and deployment arrangements had not been independently verified as of the time of this report.
NIMASA’s response to the allegations was not included in the information available for this report
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