By Platform Reporters
LAGOS – The Director-General of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Mrs. Vivian Chimezie Azubuike, has said Nigeria’s Blue Economy reforms are creating funded, real opportunities for commercial students beyond seafaring.
In her paper presentation at the Maritime Career Mentorship Program organised by Platforms Communications with theme “Career Prospects for Maritime Commercial Students in Nigeria: Charting a course from the classroom to a career in Nigeria’s blue economy,” Azubuike noted that the maritime sector remains backbone of national commerce, revenue and employment.
Citing data, she said Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is driving youth-centred growth, with Deep Blue project achieving near-zero piracy in past four years and NIMASA targeting N724 billion revenue in 2026 fiscal year.
On Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, CVFF, she clarified that long-stalled $700 million fund is now set for disbursement, with portal opened in January 2026 and over 60 indigenous shipowners already applied to expand fleets. The disbursement is projected to create about 30,000 jobs, according to NIMASA.
Azubuike mapped eight commercial career pathways including Shipping & Liner Companies, Port & Terminal Management, Freight Forwarding & Customs, Logistics & Supply Chain, Maritime Law & Insurance, Ship Finance & Banking, Regulatory & Government, and Consultancy, Research & Academia.
She listed employers to include NLNG Shipping, NPA, NIMASA, NPERA, freight firms, marine insurers, and professional bodies like NISA and WISTA Nigeria, while urging students to combine credentials with practical skills and professional network.
