Amid growing concerns over abuse and neglect aboard vessels, Nigerian seafarers have called on maritime authorities and operators to implement urgent reforms in the country’s maritime sector. The demand was made during the 2025 Day of the Seafarers event held in Lagos, with stakeholders emphasizing the urgent need for stronger legal enforcement, enhanced welfare systems, and institutional support to ensure safety and dignity at sea.
Organised by the National Seafarers’ Welfare Board of Nigeria in collaboration with the Mission to Seafarers, this year’s commemoration, themed “My Harassment-Free Ship,” spotlighted the increasing cases of verbal, emotional, and gender-based harassment faced by seafarers—especially women—on Nigerian-flagged vessels.
Delivering the keynote address, Osuala Emmanuel Nwagbara, Managing Partner of the Maritime and Commercial Law Chambers, described the situation as dire and called for immediate enforcement of anti-harassment frameworks.
“We must move beyond policy rhetoric and embrace the actual implementation of risk assessments, confidential reporting mechanisms, and enforcement of seafarers’ rights,” Nwagbara said.
“A toxic shipboard environment compromises not just individual wellbeing, but vessel safety, operational efficiency, and national economic stability.”
Nwagbara stressed that harassment—ranging from intimidation to exclusionary practices—has become widespread and requires more than lip service. He urged maritime regulators to establish clear penalties for shipowners who fail to ensure a safe and inclusive work environment on board.
Adding to the conversation, Funmi Folorunso, Secretary General of the African Shipowners’ Association and Lagos Secretary of the Mission to Seafarers, applauded the bravery and resilience of women seafarers navigating the male-dominated maritime industry.
She emphasized that while legal protections exist, meaningful change would only occur when institutions display the courage to enforce them.
“It’s not just about laws; it’s about implementation. Female seafarers continue to face subtle and overt discrimination that discourages their participation and growth in the sector,” Folorunso noted.
Similarly, Class Surveyor Alalade Matthew acknowledged the progress made by Nigerian shipowners in accommodating women but called for clear professional boundaries, mutual respect, and collaborative teamwork on board.
“We must normalize inclusive workspaces at sea. Respect and teamwork should be fundamental values on every vessel, regardless of gender,” he said.
Rev. Francis Aduroja, Chaplain of the Mission to Seafarers, praised the decision to host the event in Lagos—Nigeria’s commercial maritime hub—while also noting that the national observance in Port Harcourt should not detract from the efforts of maritime workers in other coastal regions.
“Unity within the maritime sector is essential. Seafarers must be given platforms to speak freely about their experiences without fear of retaliation,” he said.
He urged shipowners, regulatory agencies, and unions to embrace reforms that not only protect seafarers but also promote mental health, work-life balance, and professionalism at sea.
Nigeria’s maritime sector plays a critical role in the nation’s economy, with over 90% of trade passing through its seaports. However, the welfare of seafarers—who serve as the backbone of shipping operations—has often been overlooked. Many seafarers have reported delayed wages, substandard living conditions aboard vessels, and lack of access to healthcare and grievance redress systems.
In June 2024, the federal government pledged to implement reforms aimed at improving seafarers’ welfare and upgrading maritime training infrastructure. However, industry observers argue that concrete progress remains limited.
Stakeholders at the Lagos forum urged the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and shipowners to collaborate in establishing a maritime framework that is harassment-free, professionally managed, and globally competitive.