Maritime Students Urge NIMASA to Ease Certification Transition

The Maritime Students for Tinubu and Hamzat Movement (MSTM) has urged NIMASA to make the transition to new merchant-shipping certification requirements fair to students and cadets. The group made the request at its inauguration and press conference in Lagos, where it also reaffirmed support for President Bola Tinubu and Lagos APC governorship candidate Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.

Convener Omotayo Temitope said the movement supports high standards and compliance but warned against placing an unfair financial or administrative burden on young seafarers already progressing under earlier training frameworks. He called for clear implementation guidelines, subsidised access to compulsory new courses and a structured transition for affected students.

National coordinator Oyewale Elijah Omokoyejo urged Lagos State to consider a dedicated Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. He also announced a three-month engagement across campuses, technical institutions and riverine communities. The group says it will compile the findings into a Maritime Students Agenda for future discussions with government agencies and private employers.