For 10 impactful years, the Annual Maritime Students and Youth Conference (AMSAY), popularly known as “A Day With Nigerian Maritime Students”, has stood as a formidable platform for dialogue, policy engagement, and youth-led advocacy within Nigeria’s maritime industry.
Over the past decade, the conference has consistently shaped critical conversations around reform, capacity development, innovation, and sustainable sectoral growth.
Since its inaugural edition in 2016, themed “The Youth & The Future of Nigerian Maritime Sector”, AMSAY established a clear vision: positioning young professionals and cadets as central drivers of transformation within the industry.
In 2017, the focus sharpened on institutional accountability and policy direction with “Solving the Challenges of Nigerian Maritime Students: The NIMASA Game Plan”. Deliberations highlighted intervention programmes of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), particularly in training, sea-time placement, and structured capacity development.
The 2018 conference expanded the scope to global competitiveness under the theme “Repositioning Nigerian Maritime Academies & Students for New Opportunities & Technologies in Global Maritime Operations”. Emphasis was placed on curriculum modernisation, digital competencies, and alignment with international best practices.
By 2019, AMSAY challenged traditional career pathways through the thought-provoking theme “Beyond Sea Time”.
Stakeholders explored opportunities in maritime law, marine insurance, logistics, port administration, offshore services, and other emerging subsectors, broadening perspectives beyond conventional seafaring careers.
Following the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 edition focused on “Attaining Global Maritime Competence”.
Discussions centred on international certification standards, regulatory compliance, and enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian seafarers in the global labour market.
In 2022, the spotlight shifted to economic empowerment with “Job Creation for Nigerian Youths Through Maritime Sector”.
Conversations examined how shipping, inland waterways, port operations, and blue economy initiatives could unlock vast employment opportunities across the value chain.
Environmental sustainability became the focal point in 2023 under the theme “Towards Attaining Greener Shipping in Nigeria”. The conference addressed decarbonisation strategies, cleaner fuels, and compliance with global environmental standards championed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
The 2024 edition returned to core human capital concerns with “Solving the Challenges of Nigerian Maritime Students & Cadets”. Stakeholders revisited persistent issues such as sea-time placement, funding gaps, welfare support, and the need for structured mentorship systems.
In 2025, AMSAY embraced the future with “Automation and Digitalisation of Maritime Operations”. Deliberations explored smart ports, artificial intelligence, blockchain-powered shipping documentation, and the imperative of preparing Nigerian maritime professionals for technology-driven ecosystems.
Now, as AMSAY marks its 10th anniversary, the milestone presents more than a celebration — it signals a defining moment. The forthcoming theme must encapsulate a decade of youth empowerment, policy influence, innovation, job creation, and environmental responsibility, while boldly charting the course for the next era of transformation in Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy space.
Ten years on, AMSAY is not just a conference — it is a movement shaping the future of Nigeria’s maritime industry.