As the Annual Maritime Students and Youth Conference (AMSAY) marks over a decade of impact, stakeholders across Nigeria’s maritime industry are calling for a deeper, more structured expansion of the initiative to meet evolving sector demands.
From its humble beginnings as a student-focused engagement platform, AMSAY organised by Platforms Communications has grown into a nationally recognised pipeline for talent development, industry exposure, and career advancement. Now, industry players said the next phase must move beyond inspiration to institutionalised impact.
From Inspiration to Structured Opportunities
A recurring expectation among stakeholders is the need to convert AMSAY’s success stories into a formalised system that guarantees opportunities for participants.
Beneficiaries’ experiences; from securing sea-time placements to gaining employment and scholarships have demonstrated the platform’s potential. However, stakeholders believed these outcomes should no longer depend on chance encounters or individual goodwill.
They advocated for structured partnerships with shipping companies, terminal operators, and maritime agencies to create dedicated cadetship slots, internship pipelines, and job placement frameworks tied directly to the conference.
Closing the Sea-Time Gap
The persistent challenge of sea-time placement remains central to stakeholders’ concerns. While AMSAY has helped several cadets overcome this hurdle, industry leaders argued that a coordinated, industry-wide solution is needed.
They urged AMSAY organisers to leverage their network to broker long-term agreements with vessel operators and international partners, ensuring that qualified Nigerian cadets can seamlessly transition from classroom to onboard training.
Deepening Industry–Academia Linkages
Another key expectation is the strengthening of ties between maritime institutions and industry operators.
Stakeholders emphasised that AMSAY is uniquely positioned to serve as a bridge aligning academic curricula with real-world industry needs. By facilitating continuous dialogue between schools, regulators, and employers, the conference can help ensure that graduates are better prepared for modern maritime operations.
Stakeholders Speak on the Next Decade
For Emeka Akabogu, Chief Executive Officer of Akabogu & Associates, the milestone represents more than longevity – it reflects sustained impact.
“10 years of AMSAY is 10 years of hope, opportunity, and transformation. We look forward to an even greater decade of empowering the next generation of maritime professionals”, he said.
Similarly, Capt. Ogunsaki described AMSAY as one of the most impactful initiatives in the sector.
“AMSAY is a wonderful programme; about the best in the industry because it is educative and informative. A lot of Nigerian students have benefitted from it, not just in learning but in encouraging them to put in their best, especially with the recognition and awards given across various courses’, he noted.
He added that the programme’s influence goes beyond maritime, citing instances where students from other disciplines, including law, have also been recognised.
Call for Greater Support and Expansion
Looking ahead, Ogunsaki urged stronger stakeholder commitment to sustain and scale the initiative.
He called on industry players and participants to support the programme through increased attendance and financial contributions, noting that broader backing would enhance its reach and impact.
He also advocated greater government involvement, particularly in enabling wider participation.
According to him, authorities should support students from outside Lagos to attend the conference or consider decentralising the event by hosting editions in other maritime hubs such as Warri to improve accessibility.
Sustaining Momentum Through Partnerships
As AMSAY enters its next decade, stakeholders see an opportunity for deeper collaboration with government agencies and private sector players.
By aligning its objectives with national maritime development goals, the conference can evolve into a more strategic platform influencing policy, training standards, and youth employment.
A Decade of Impact, A Future of Possibilities
For many stakeholders, AMSAY has already proven its value as a transformative platform. The stories of beneficiaries who have moved from uncertainty to career success underscored its relevance.
However, as expectations rise, so too does the need for scale, structure, and sustainability.
The consensus is clear: beyond its first decade, AMSAY must evolve from a platform of opportunity to an institution of influence – one that not only connects dreams to reality but systematically builds the future of Nigeria’s maritime workforce.