IYC Demands Urgent NIMASA Action Over Stranded NSDP Cadets Awaiting CoC Certification

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to urgently resolve the prolonged delay affecting Nigerian cadets sponsored under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), particularly beneficiaries sent to the Philippines between 2012 and 2014.

PulseNets learnt that the IYC made the demand in an open letter dated September 29, 2026, addressed to the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, urging him to personally intervene and bring the matter to a final and satisfactory conclusion.

The NSDP was established to develop young Nigerians into professionally qualified seafarers capable of contributing to the Nigerian and global maritime industry. However, the IYC expressed concern that some beneficiaries of the government-sponsored programme have remained unable to complete their professional requirements more than a decade after commencing their training.

Information obtained by PulseNets indicates that more than 100 affected cadets have completed substantial parts of their academic and sea-time requirements but are still in Nigeria awaiting deployment to the Philippines for outstanding Certificate of Competency (CoC) examinations and related requirements.

The council said the affected young Nigerians had invested years of their lives preparing for careers at sea and should not be left indefinitely waiting for administrative approvals, funding, travel arrangements and other processes required to complete their certification.

Concerns Raised by Affected NSDP Cadets

According to the IYC, the affected cadets have raised concerns over outstanding examination requirements, deployment arrangements, funding, visa processing and travel logistics.

The council also pointed to previous engagements and verification exercises, including arrangements reportedly made in 2022 and a further verification exercise in 2025.

Of particular concern, the IYC said, is the reported situation in which some cadets were directed to renew their international passports in preparation for deployment but were subsequently not deployed.

The council said the circumstances surrounding the issues require clear answers from NIMASA.

“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.”

“These are not merely administrative matters. They directly affect the careers and livelihoods of the affected young Nigerians.”

IYC Demands Immediate Action From NIMASA

The Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide called on NIMASA to immediately conclude all outstanding academic, examination, training and CoC requirements of eligible affected cadets.

The council also demanded the release of all approved funds required for their examinations, deployment, travel, accommodation, visa processing and other legitimate programme requirements.

It called for a definite deployment timetable instead of further indefinite assurances and requested a comprehensive status report showing what remains outstanding for each affected cadet.

The IYC further demanded an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the 2022 arrangements, particularly the reported passport renewal exercise and the subsequent failure to deploy the affected cadets.

It also requested clarification on the 2025 verification exercise and the current status of funding reportedly approved or promised for completion of the programme.

The council called for an urgent meeting involving the NIMASA Director-General, relevant agency officials and representatives of the affected cadets, with a written implementation plan agreed upon at the end of the meeting.

IYC Speaks on Ongoing Protest at NIMASA Headquarters

The IYC said it was aware of the ongoing peaceful demonstration by some of the affected cadets at the NIMASA Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.

PulseNets reported that the cadets have been drawing attention to the prolonged delay in completing their professional certification, with the IYC describing their peaceful demonstration as a reflection of the frustration that has built up over the years.

The council urged the cadets to remain peaceful and law-abiding while calling on NIMASA management to engage them directly and address the issues they have raised.

“The situation should not be allowed to deteriorate further.”

A Government Programme Should Not Become a Career Dead End

The Ijaw Youth Council said it supports continued government investment in maritime education and the training of Nigerian youths through the NSDP.

However, the council argued that while new beneficiaries are being admitted into the programme, earlier beneficiaries should not be abandoned without completing the requirements for which they were originally sponsored.

“A young Nigerian who has completed the required academic training and sea time should not have to spend several additional years waiting for the final opportunity to obtain the professional certification necessary to begin his or her career.”

The IYC said the maritime industry requires qualified Nigerian professionals and that keeping trained cadets at home for years does not serve the interests of the cadets, NIMASA, the Nigerian maritime industry or the country.

IYC Calls for Final Resolution of NSDP Crisis

The Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide called on Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director-General of NIMASA, to personally intervene in the matter.

The council urged the agency to provide the affected cadets with a clear timeline, release the necessary funds, conclude the outstanding examinations and facilitate their deployment for the completion of their CoC requirements.

“The affected cadets have waited long enough.

“Fifteen years is more than enough time for a government-sponsored programme to reach its conclusion.”

The IYC said it was giving NIMASA the opportunity to resolve the matter through dialogue and administrative action.

However, the council said that if meaningful steps are not taken within a reasonable and clearly communicated timeframe, it would pursue lawful and peaceful avenues available to protect the interests of the affected cadets.

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Such steps, according to the statement obtained by PulseNets, may include further peaceful demonstrations, formal petitions to appropriate government authorities and oversight institutions, engagement with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the National Assembly, as well as seeking appropriate legal and administrative remedies.

“We are not seeking confrontation.

“We are demanding accountability, transparency and justice for young Nigerians who have spent years preparing for their professional careers.

“NIMASA should act.

“Their future should not remain on hold indefinitely.”

The statement was signed by Comr. Victor Ibaningo, National Spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide.