How to become a seafarer in Nigeria

Choose your path

What both paths have in common

• NIMASA's current standards for seafarers' education, training, examination, certification and medical fitness are set in a Marine Notice issued under the Merchant Shipping (STCW) Regulations, 2025.
  Source: NIMASA: new standards for seafarers' education, training, assessment, examination and certification (9 August 2026)
• Every seafarer must complete safety familiarization and basic training under STCW VI/1.
  Source: IMO, STCW Convention as amended in 2010 (STCW/CONF.2/33), Regulation VI/1
• Before starting work on a ship, a seafarer must hold a valid medical certificate confirming fitness for the duties at sea.
  Source: ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended — Standard A1.2
• Under the Maritime Labour Convention, nobody under 16 may be employed or work on board a ship.
  Source: ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended — Standard A1.1

Beware of scams

• NIMASA does not announce vacancies through third-party websites, e-mails or social media, and has not authorised anyone to recruit on its behalf.
  Source: Disclaimer by NIMASA Management (2 May 2023)
• Fraudsters contact people by e-mail and social media asking for payment or advance fees in exchange for a job — report such cases to [email protected] or the police.
  Source: Disclaimer by NIMASA Management (2 May 2023)
• Recruitment and placement agencies must not charge seafarers for finding them a job; the seafarer pays only for the medical certificate, the seafarer's book and a passport.
  Source: ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended — Standard A1.4

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