Platforms Communications, conveners of the Annual Maritime Students and Youth Conference also known as “A Day With Nigerian Maritime Students”, together with the Central Planning Committee of the AMSAY Conference brand have rightly chosen a topic entitled, “A DECADE OF AMSAY CONFERENCE: EYES ON THE HORIZON”, as the central theme for this year’s event as it marks a historic 10th Anniversary.
Looking at the theme, one cannot but wonder what has happened in the past editions of the program? What impacts has the AMSAY Conference made in the lives of maritime students, cadets and young marine professionals who are the primary beneficiaries of the initiative? Above all, what lies ahead as the brand enters its impacful second decade journey?
To answer these important questions, this article seeks to provide insights on these crucial issues in three series as follows:
Part 1: 10 Years Of Impact: How AMSAY Conference Is Shaping Maritime Discourse, Mentoring Youths
Part 2: A Chronicle of Testimonials By Beneficiaries.
Part 3: Eyes On The Horizon.
In Part 1 which is “10 Years Of Impact: How AMSAY Conference Is Shaping Maritime Discourse, Mentoring Youths”, this highlights the evolution of series of insightful discussions held at different editions of the conference over the past 10 years, showcasing how its presentation topics have consistently shaped the industry by focusing on youth development and the growth of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
According to the event organisers, Platforms Communications, since the maiden edition in 2016, the AMSAY Conference has served as a veritable platform for students, cadets, young professionals and industry stakeholders to meet, interact and discuss critical issues affecting the future of Nigerian maritime industry and how the youth who are the future leaders can explore emerging opportunities in the sector.
At the inaugural edition in 2016 held in Onikan, Lagos, the conference featured four presentations and opened a crucial powerful discourse with a Lead Paper Presentation titled, “How Nations Develop Their Maritime Sector,” which was delivered by Late Hon Dr Chris Asoluka, then Former Chairman, Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority Lekki.
The same edition also featured a second presentation on shipping regulations titled, “Understanding the Importance and Usage of Laws and Policies in Shipping Development,” presented by Former DG of NIMASA, Barr Temisan Omatseye.
Participants at the maiden event also examined lessons from the collapse of Nigerian National Shipping Line through a Third Paper Presentation titled, “A New National Carrier In The Offing: Lessons From The Rise and Fall Of NNSL” – By Late Otunba Kunle Folarin, Then Chairman, Nigerian Ports Consultative Council; while the 4th Presentation Topic, entitled, “The Place Of Integrity In Making A Successful Maritime Career” was delivered by a popular motivational speaker, Mr Muyiwa Afolabi, CEO, Frontiers International Services Ltd.
At the 2017 edition also held in Onikan, three Paper Presentations were delivered as discussions shifted toward solving the challenges facing maritime students with a Lead Paper Presentation entitled, “Solving The Challenges Of Nigerian Maritime Students: The NIMASA Game Plan” – By Dr Dakuku Peterside, Then DG NIMASA.
That edition also featured discussions on competence development with a second Presentation Topic titled, “The Youth And The Future Of Nigerian Maritime Sector: Developing The Right Competence & Character For the Profession” – By Prof Abiodun Sule, Then Provost, FCFMT.
While the renowned ship owner and then President of SOAN, Engr Greg Ogbeifun delivered the third Paper Presentation titled, “Exploring Entrepreneurial Opportunities In The Nigerian Maritime Sector” .
In 2018 edition held in Victoria Island, Lagos, the organisers scaled down the Paper Presentations to only two in order to accommodate other important integral programs of the conference such as the Best Graduating Maritime Students Awards (BEGMASA).
That third edition focused on local content opportunities for Nigerian youths and the need to reposition maritime institutions for emerging global technologies. Hence, two presentations were made as follow: “The Local Content Act, The Cabotage Act and Everything In-Between: How Benefitial To Nigerian Youth” – By Late Hon Dr Chris Asoluka, Then Former Chairman, Oil & Gas Free Zone Authority, Lekki.
While the second Paper Presentation Topic was entitled, “Repositioning Nigerian Maritime Academies & Students For New Opportunities & Technologies In Global Maritime Operations” – By Capt Dr Fola Ojutalayo; A Navigator, Lecturer and Maritime Consultant.
Meanwhile, the 2019 edition which also held in Onikan expanded conversations around maritime opportunities for young people and examined career prospects beyond traditional seafaring roles, with two presentations delivered as follow:
1st Presentation Topic: “The Youth And The Nigeria Maritime Potential: Developing The Right Competence & Character For The Profession/ Opportunities” – By Dr Bashir Jamoh, Then ED Finance, NIMASA.
2nd Presentation Topic: “Beyond Sea Time: A Closer Look At Other Prospects & Challenges In Seafaring Profession” – By Capt Segun Enitan; Then Head Of Operations, Bluelake Offshore Ltd.
Following a break in 2020 due to Covid 19 Social Distancing Regulations, the AMSAY Conference resumed in 2021 at Ikoyi with renewed attention on the blue economy and global competitiveness of Nigerian seafarers.
During that edition, Dr Emeka Akabogu, SAN addressed participants on youth participation in the blue economy, while Capt Ogunsakin William Rotimi examined issues surrounding Nigeria’s certificate of competence on the following paper presentation topics:
1st Presentation Topic: “The Place Of Nigerian Youth In The Blue Economy” – By Dr Emeka Akabogu, SAN; Principal Partner, Akabogu & Associates.
2nd Presentation Topic: Towards Making Nigeria Certificate Of Competence Globally Acceptable: The Seafarers’ Perspective” – By Capt Ogunsakin William Rotimi, Chief Admin, Concerned Seafarers.
At the 2022 edition held in Apapa, discussions centred on job creation in the maritime sector through cabotage and local content policies, with Barr Temisan Omatseye, Former DG NIMASA delivering the lead paper, entitled, “The Youth And The Prospect Of Job Creation Through The Maritime Sector: Maximizing Cabotage, Local Content And Everything In-between”
That year also featured a second paper presentation entitled, “Addressing Contemporary Issues & Challenges Facing Cadets & Seafarers In The 21st Century Maritime Sector” – By Prof Iyiola Oni of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
By 2023 being the 7th edition which was held in Yaba, the organisers collaborated NIMASA and expanded its focus to environmental sustainability and entrepreneurial opportunities with the following two presentations: Lead Presentation Topic: “Towards Attaining Greener Shipping, Cleaner Oceans And Sustainable Marine Environment In Nigeria: The Roles Of Stakeholders” – By Dr Bashir Jamoh; Then DG NIMASA.
Second Presentation Topic: “Entrepreneurial Opportunities In The Maritime Sector For Nigerian Youths” – By Mr Okeke O. Okeke; HOD, Shipping Management Dept, CISN.
At the 2024 edition also held in Yaba, the organisers once more scaled down the Paper presentation to one following the introduction and integration of Fola OJUTALAYO’S Annual Maritime Speech-Making Competition into the AMSAY Conference brand in 2022.
One main Paper Presentation was taken on the topic entitled, “Exploring Holistic Approach In Solving the Challenges Of Nigeria Maritime Students & Cadets” – By Engr Adebamipe Oluwadamilola Ade, Senior Marine Engr, NPA.
Last year, the 2025 edition held in Apapa examined the impact of automation and digitalisation on the future of maritime students, featuring a major Paper Presentation titled, “The Future Of Nigerian Maritime Students & Youths In the Face of Automation & Digitalization of Maritime Operations” – By Engr Emmanuel O. Emesiri; Senior Surveyor, Phoenix Register of Shipping.
As preparations for the historic 10th Anniversary and 2026 edition of the program intestify, the organisers have carefully chosen a topic to ensure that students and participants understand how nations develop their maritime sector through a Lead Presentation topic titled, “The Youth And The Future Of Nigerian Maritime Sector: Understanding How Nations Develop Their Maritime Sector” – By Capt Warredi Enisuoh, Executive Director of Operations and Technical, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd
With this array of Insightful Paper Presentations, coupled with the panel discussions that followed each edition over the past 10 years, there is no doubt that the AMSAY Conference has indeed expanded national discourse on contemporary maritime issues, redefined and reshaped policy thrust of government for the sector, built capacity and competence of Nigerian Maritime students and youths while also using the platform to educate, enlighten, advocate and empower many students and young marine professionals who have benefited from the program and have been testifying on the impacts of the program in their career journey as we shall see in Part 2 of this article.
This article is written by:
The Media & Publicity sub-committee
AMSAY Conference