The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML), Abdulkadir Ahmed, has announced that the company’s Maritime Centre of Excellence (MCOE), a leading hub for maritime training, research and competence development, has secured international certification from the UK Nautical Institute.
Ahmed disclosed this during a recent engagement, describing the achievement as a major milestone for Nigeria’s maritime sector and a significant endorsement of the Centre’s commitment to global best practices.
Established as a one-stop destination for world-class maritime expertise, the Maritime Centre of Excellence operates from Bonny Island, Rivers State, serving Nigeria, West Africa and the wider international maritime community. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art simulators and modern training infrastructure designed to support the continuous professional development of seafarers and maritime professionals through a growing portfolio of mandatory and specialised courses.
According to Ahmed, the latest certification from the UK Nautical Institute validates the quality, rigour and relevance of the training programmes delivered by the Centre.
“This certification confirms that the Maritime Centre of Excellence meets internationally recognised standards for competence development and operational excellence,” he said.
He noted that the recognition builds upon existing international accreditations already secured by the Centre. The MCOE is accredited by DNV under globally recognised standards, including ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management Systems and DNV-ST-0029 standards for Maritime Simulator and Training Centres.
“These certifications reinforce our commitment to quality, consistency and excellence in training delivery,” Ahmed stated.
Building on this foundation, he revealed that the Centre is now licensed by the UK Nautical Institute to deliver key Dynamic Positioning (DP) programmes, including DP Induction, DP Simulator, DP Revalidation and Dynamic Vessel Maintenance Revalidation courses.
“Today, the Maritime Centre of Excellence stands among a select group of institutions in West Africa with this level of Nautical Institute accreditation for Dynamic Positioning training,” he added.
The Centre also offers a range of specialised courses accredited by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), widely regarded as one of the foremost authorities in global maritime training. These programmes include Gas Tanker Operations, Dynamic Positioning, Human Element Leadership and Management, Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), and High Voltage Training at both operational and management levels.
Ahmed described the achievement as particularly significant for Nigeria, noting that it strengthens the country’s position within the global maritime industry.
According to him, certification by internationally respected organisations demonstrates that the standard of training and expertise being developed in Nigeria can compete with the best anywhere in the world.
He said the accreditation would further enhance the employability and global mobility of Nigerian maritime professionals by providing them with internationally recognised qualifications, thereby expanding access to opportunities across global fleets and offshore operations.
The NSML chief executive also emphasised the Centre’s role in strengthening local capacity development, reducing dependence on foreign training institutions and raising national maritime competence.
“It also reinforces safety and professionalism across the maritime sector. Maritime operations require discipline, technical expertise and continuous learning. These certifications confirm that the professionals trained here meet the highest international expectations in safety, performance and operational readiness,” he said.
Beyond the maritime industry, Ahmed noted that a stronger maritime workforce would contribute directly to trade, shipping, offshore operations and the growth of Nigeria’s blue economy, supporting job creation, productivity and national competitiveness.
He attributed the achievement to years of deliberate investment in infrastructure, curriculum development, instructor capability and robust quality assurance systems.
“Our goal has always been clear – to build not just a training institution, but a true Centre of Excellence. While we are proud of this milestone, we also recognise the responsibility that comes with it. It challenges us to continue raising standards, deepening innovation and maintaining global best practices in everything we do,” he said.
Looking ahead, Ahmed reaffirmed NSML’s commitment to expanding access to maritime training for young Nigerians and strengthening partnerships aligned with international standards.
“Our ambition is to build a maritime institution that Nigeria can be proud of and one that commands respect across the global maritime community,” he added.
He commended the dedication of the Centre’s staff, instructors, partners and stakeholders, whose collective efforts made the achievement possible.
The Maritime Centre of Excellence also operates the Seafarers Continuous Development Programme (SCDP), which provides sea-time training, consultancy services and support for obtaining internationally recognised Certificates of Competency (CoC).
To date, 225 cadets have completed sea-time training through the programme, while 54 others are currently undergoing training either at maritime colleges or aboard vessels. The initiative is implemented in partnership with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron.
In addition to training, the Centre provides maritime research, consultancy and technical support services, including shipbuilding supervision, dry-docking oversight, commercial evaluations and vessel management solutions.
As demand for maritime training continues to grow, NSML is pursuing an expansion project for the Maritime Centre of Excellence with support from the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). The expansion is expected to increase training capacity, broaden course offerings and further strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional hub for maritime excellence.
