Youth population crucial for marine, blue economy growth — NSML CEO

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited, Abdulkadir Ahmed, has said Nigeria must leverage its youth population to develop the marine and blue economy.

Ahmed noted that the sector remains largely untapped, adding that Nigeria’s huge youth population is critical for the industry to thrive and deliver tangible benefits.

He made the remarks while responding to questions from newsmen at the conclusion of the NSML 2025 Performance Recognition and Awards held on Bonny Island, Saturday night.

Highlighting the importance of operational excellence, Ahmed said people remain NSML’s greatest asset, noting that the company, a subsidiary of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, is focused on developing maritime skills locally to provide opportunities for Nigerians.

He stated, “Marine and blue economy is an untapped resource. Nigeria, with a population of over 250 million, and more than 50 percent under the age of 30, must tap into its youth population.

“For us, the purpose of creating NSML was to domesticize international maritime skill sets locally so that Nigerians can participate actively in the sector.

“We are a coastal nation, and there is much we can achieve in the international maritime sector. But this requires coordinated efforts with that particular purpose in mind.”

Ahmed explained that safety remains NSML’s core principle, describing it as the starting point for all operations.

He emphasised that the annual awards were organised to recognise the company’s staff and associates for their “sacrifices, hard work, resilience, and achievements” in the previous year.

“While some individuals may receive awards, the success is ultimately a collective effort. It is about teams working collaboratively to deliver results,” he said.

The NSML CEO said 2025 was a successful year for the company, whose mandate includes vessel management, maritime training, terminal services, and marine consultancy for NLNG’s shipping and maritime operations.

He added, “To be reliable, we manage assets that must be available at all times. Most importantly, we must deliver on our promises. By doing so, we create value. Shipping is an enabler — its safety, reliability, and value contribute to the success of the industries we support.

“For us, it revolves around these three elements, and we believe 2025 was successful in terms of safety, asset availability, reliability, and how we supported our customers to efficiently deliver cargoes globally.”

Online reports that awards presented at the event included categories such as ‘Most Efficient Tug Boat of the Year’, ‘Most Supportive/Efficient Shipping Agency’, and ‘Best NPA Pilot in NLNG Operations 2025’, among others

culled from punch