MCOE Secures International Certification From UK Nautical Institute

The Maritime Centre of Excellence (MCOE) NSML’s hub for maritime training, research, and competence development has successfully secured international certification from the UK Nautical Institute.

Managing Director, NSML, Abdulkadir Ahmed disclosed this during the Media Parley held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, on Thursday, where he highlighted the milestones achieved by the Maritime Centre of Excellence (MCOE), NSML’s hub for maritime training, research, and competence development.

Ahmed highlighted that Maritime Centre of Excellence was established as a one-stop centre for world-class maritime expertise, and operates from Bonny Island, Rivers State, serving Nigeria, West Africa, and the global maritime community, adding that “the Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art simulators and modern training facilities designed to support the continuous professional development of seafarers and maritime professionals, with an expanding portfolio of both mandatory and specialised courses.”

Managing Director, NSML stated “This latest certification from the UK Nautical Institute is a strong validation of the quality, rigour, and relevance of the training delivered at the Centre. It confirms that the MCOE meets internationally accepted standards for competence development and operational excellence.

“Importantly, this is not the first recognition of its kind, The MCOE is already accredited by DNV under globally recognised standards, including ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management Systems and the DNV-ST-0029 standards for Maritime Simulator and Training Centres. These certifications reinforce our commitment to quality, consistency, and excellence in training delivery. Building on this foundation, the MCOE is now licensed by the UK Nautical Institute to deliver key Dynamic Positioning (DP) programmes, including induction, simulator, revalidation, and vessel maintenance courses. Today, the Centre stands as one of the institutes in West Africa with this level of Nautical Institute accreditation for DP training.

“In addition, the MCOE delivers a range of specialised courses accredited by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) widely regarded as the gold standard in maritime training globally. These include programmes in Gas Tanker Operations, Dynamic Positioning, Human Element Leadership and Management, ECDIS, and High Voltage Training at both operational and management levels.”

He emphasized that this achievement is particularly significant for Nigeria noting that “It strengthens our global standing, certification by globally respected bodies affirms that the standard of training and expertise developed here in Nigeria can compete with the best anywhere in the world.

“It enhances the employability and mobility of Nigerian maritime professionals with internationally recognised training; our seafarers are better positioned to access opportunities across global fleets and offshore operations.

“It reinforces our commitment to building capacity locally, this milestone demonstrates clearly that world-class maritime training can be delivered here at home, reducing reliance on foreign institutions while raising national capability.

“It also reinforces safety and professionalism within the sector. Maritime operations demand discipline, technical competence, and continuous learning. The certifications obtained by the MCOE affirm that the professionals trained here meet high international expectations in performance, safety, and operational readiness.”

According to him, beyond the industry, the impact is broader, a stronger maritime workforce contributes directly to trade, shipping, offshore operations, and the growth of Nigeria’s blue economy supporting job creation, productivity, and national competitiveness.

Ahmed emphasized that this achievement is the result of deliberate and sustained effort as it reflects strategic investment in infrastructure, curriculum development, instructor capability, and robust quality assurance systems.

“Our goal has always been clear to build not just a training institution, but a true Centre of Excellence. While we are proud of this milestone, we also recognise the responsibility it brings, it challenges us to continue raising standards, deepening innovation, and maintaining global best practices in everything we do,” he added.

He affirmed that NSML remains committed to further strengthening the Maritime Centre of Excellence, expanding access to maritime training for young Nigerians, and deepening partnerships that align with international standards.

“Our ambition is clear to build a maritime institution that Nigeria is proud of, and one that is respected across the global maritime community,” he stressed.

He also acknowledged the dedication of the staff, instructors, partners, and stakeholders whose commitment has made this achievement possible.

Other milestones achieved by the Maritime Centre of Excellenceincludes:

International Accreditation:

The MCOE is fully accredited by DNVGL according to the following standards:

• ISO9001-2015 – Quality Management System
• DNVGL-ST-0029- Maritime Simulator Centre
• DNVGL-ST-0029- Maritime Training Centre

In addition to the existing raft of maritime training courses delivered at the MCOE, we are now licensed by the Nautical Institute to deliver the following Dynamic Positioning Programmes:

• Dynamic Positioning Induction Course
• Dynamic Positioning Simulator Course
• Dynamic Revalidation Induction Course
• Dynamic Vessel Maintenance Revalidation Induction Course

Currently the MCOE is the only institute in West Africa with this accreditation.

Other course accreditations under our belt include:

• Basic Gas Tanker Course
• Dynamic Positioning
• Human Element Leadership & Management
• Electronic Chart Display Information System
• High Voltage Training – Management (HV-M)
• High Voltage Training – Operational (HV-O)

All accredited by the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency, the gold standard for maritime training worldwide.

The Seafarers Continuous Development Programme (SCDP):

In addition to maritime courses, the MCOE also offers sea time, consultancy and support for acquiring the seafarers Certificate of Competency (COC) to sail internationally. To date, two hundred and twenty-five (225) cadets have competed sea time training with the MCOE under her flagship Seafarers Continuous Development Program, with fifty-four (54) cadets either at college or currently onboard our vessels on track to getting their Certificates of Competency in conjunction with key partners including NIMASA & The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (Oron).

This is a service we offer both to individuals and to institutional partners that serves as a pathway from the classroom to the sea especially for Nigerian Cadets, further helping to meet the global demand for seafarers with qualified hands and supporting our goal to maintain 85% Nigerianization onboard the vessels NSML manages.

Maritime Research Consultancy:

At the MCOE, we also provide world class maritime intelligence & consultancy for a variety of maritime projects including but not limited to shipbuilding supervision, commercial evaluation for maritime projects and drydocking supervision. We have a proven track record of being a reliable partner from keel laying to vessel delivery, and NSML offers vessel management and crew management as a part of her suite of services to support our customers safely & proficiently throughout their vessel lifecycles.

The NLNG management underscored that “With the increasing number of courses and service offerings being explored, at the MCOE we continue to grow and through the support of the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB) the MCOE has begun steps towards a facility expansion project, with the aspiration of delivering more value to our customers and to the Nigerian market from a larger, even better equipped facility with the capacity to deliver an expanded suite of courses to more participants.”

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