Federal Government Approves Over 150% Pay Rise for Nigerian Seafarers
The Federal Government has approved a wage increase of more than 150 per cent for Nigerian seafarers in a major policy shift aimed at improving the welfare of maritime workers and strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global shipping industry.
The announcement was made by the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, during the 2026 Day of the Seafarer celebration in Lagos. The annual event, observed worldwide under the International Maritime Organization (IMO), celebrated this year’s theme, “My Harassment-Free Ship,” while highlighting the invaluable contributions of seafarers to global trade and maritime safety.
Mobereola said the wage adjustment followed the adoption of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and International Labour Organization (ILO) collective bargaining agreement by Nigeria’s National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC), bringing the remuneration of Nigerian seafarers closer to internationally accepted standards.
He noted that the review would significantly improve the earnings and welfare of seafarers, enhance the attractiveness of maritime careers for young Nigerians and boost the country’s competitiveness in the international labour market.
The NIMASA chief also disclosed that the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) has produced over 2,400 cadets, many of whom have completed or are undergoing professional maritime education and certification in Nigeria and overseas. According to him, the programme remains central to the agency’s strategy of developing a globally competitive indigenous maritime workforce.
Representing the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, the Executive Director of Marine Safety and Security at NIMASA, Musa Makoji, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to creating sustainable employment opportunities within the maritime sector.
He revealed that work is progressing on plans to establish a national shipping carrier through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The initiative, he explained, is expected to create more sea-time training opportunities for cadets, increase indigenous participation in international shipping and retain greater shipping revenue within the Nigerian economy.
In another milestone, NIMASA launched a digital Seafarers’ Discharge Book platform designed to modernise documentation, improve transparency and simplify the verification of seafarers’ credentials for employers and regulatory authorities both in Nigeria and abroad.
The latest wage review builds on earlier reforms introduced by NIMASA to align Nigeria’s maritime labour practices with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006. In recent years, the agency has intensified efforts to improve the working conditions, welfare and international employability of Nigerian seafarers through policy reforms, capacity building and stronger regulatory oversight.
The development also coincides with the International Labour Organization’s phased increase in the global minimum wage for able seafarers, which raises the monthly basic salary from $673 to $690 in 2026, $704 in 2027 and $715 in 2028.
Industry stakeholders believe the new wage structure, combined with ongoing investments in maritime training and digital reforms, will enhance Nigeria’s standing as a leading supplier of skilled seafarers while supporting the Federal Government’s drive to unlock the full potential of the nation’s blue economy.
