As the Annual Maritime Students and Youth Conference (AMSAY), popularly known as “A Day With Nigerian Maritime Students”, celebrates its 10th anniversary, stakeholders are taking a reflective look at a decade of transformative conversations, mentorship, and youth-focused development in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Convened by Platforms Communications in collaboration with the Central Planning Committee, this year’s milestone edition is themed “A Decade of AMSAY Conference: Eyes on the Horizon”, a fitting title that captures both its legacy and forward-looking vision.
But beyond the celebration lies a deeper question: what has AMSAY truly achieved over the past decade? How has it influenced maritime students, cadets, and emerging professionals? And what direction will it take in its second decade?
To provide clarity, this three-part series explores these questions.
Part 1: Reflections on Maritime Discourse, Mentorship & Youth Development
Part 2: Testimonials from Beneficiaries
Part 3: The Future Outlook
A Decade of Insightful Engagement
Since its launch in 2016, AMSAY has evolved into a vital platform for dialogue, bringing together students, cadets, young professionals, and industry leaders to examine key issues and emerging opportunities within Nigeria’s maritime space.
The maiden edition set a strong intellectual tone with four impactful presentations. The Lead Paper, “How Nations Develop Their Maritime Sector”, delivered by the late Dr. Chris Asoluka, sparked foundational discussions on national maritime growth strategies.
Other presentations that year addressed regulatory frameworks, lessons from the collapse of the Nigerian National Shipping Line, and the role of integrity in building a successful maritime career – topics that remain relevant today.
Expanding Conversations (2017–2019)
By 2017, discussions shifted toward practical solutions for maritime students, with a focus on policy direction, competence development, and entrepreneurship. Key industry voices, including Dr. Dakuku Peterside and Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, emphasised capacity building and opportunity creation.
In 2018, the conference streamlined its presentations to accommodate initiatives like the Best Graduating Maritime Students Awards (BEGMASA), while still addressing local content policies and the need to reposition maritime institutions for global competitiveness.
The 2019 edition broadened perspectives further, exploring career opportunities beyond traditional seafaring roles and highlighting the diverse potential within the maritime ecosystem.
Resilience and Renewal (2021–2023)
Following a pause in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AMSAY returned in 2021 with renewed focus on the blue economy and global competitiveness. Discussions centered on youth inclusion and improving Nigeria’s certification standards for seafarers.
Subsequent editions in 2022 and 2023 tackled job creation, industry challenges, environmental sustainability, and entrepreneurial prospects. These conversations underscored the need for innovation and adaptability in a rapidly evolving maritime landscape.
Innovation and Adaptation (2024–2025)
In 2024, AMSAY integrated new initiatives such as the Fola Ojutalayo Annual Maritime Speech-Making Competition, reducing paper presentations to allow for broader engagement formats.
By 2025, the spotlight turned to automation and digitalisation, examining how technological advancements are reshaping opportunities and expectations for maritime students and young professionals.
Setting the Stage for the Next Decade
As preparations intensify for the 2026 edition, the conference returns to its foundational theme – understanding how nations build strong maritime sectors. The Lead Presentation will revisit this critical subject, equipping participants with insights to navigate future industry realities.
Lasting Impact
Over the past decade, AMSAY has gone beyond being just a conference. It has become a catalyst for national discourse, influencing policy conversations, strengthening capacity development, and empowering a new generation of maritime professionals.
Through consistent engagement, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing, the platform has helped shape career paths and broaden opportunities for countless young Nigerians.
As the journey continues into its second decade, the impact of AMSAY is perhaps best reflected in the voices of its beneficiaries – stories that will be explored in Part 2 of this series.