The Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council, NPCC, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola has advised the Nigerian maritime students and youth to get themselves prepared to seize the immense opportunities provided for them by the industry.
Sunmola who offered this advice in his goodwill message at the 9th edition of the Annual Maritime Students and Youth, AMSAY Conference 2025 which held in Lagos on Tuesday with the theme, “Automation and Digitalization Of Maritime Operations”, encouraged the students to pay close attention to maritime data analytics and artificial intelligence, AI.
He maintained that the knowledge of maritime data analytics and AI would equip them with the ability to to analyse shipping trends, logistics data, or vessel performance which according to him was becoming essential.
“Data is the new oil in the digital economy”, he said, adding that as ships and ports become connected, they also become vulnerable. “There’s growing demand for cyber-aware maritime professionals.”
He also urged the students to pay close attention to digital logistics and supply chain coordination which he opined would equip them with the ability to learn how smart technologies like GPS, RFID, and IoT are integrated into maritime logistics.
Urging the students to pick particular interest in software for maritime operations which he said would enable them to learn about terminal operating systems (e.g., NAVIS), port community systems, and e-documentation platforms, Sunmola who is the National President of the National Association of Stevedoring Operators, NASO tipped that innovation in the area of green technology and smart ports, which means that future ports were expected to be green, smart and automated, required youthful energy and ideas.
To stay relevant in what he called the “fast changing industry,” the NPCC boss further advised the students to upskill continually, learn beyond their curriculum, take certification in logistics tech, data science, maritime ICT among others.
He continued, “Be tech-curious – understand the basics of how technologies like blockchain, AI, or machine learning relate to shipping and trade. Engage in simulations or internships – whether it’s port operations, vessel monitoring, or customs clearance, seek practical experiences.
“Network with industry players – Conferences like this one are golden opportunities. Ask questions, introduce yourself, connect. Follow industry trends – Read journals, follow IMO updates, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn.”
Reminding them that the maritime world was no longer only for sailors and dockworkers but now also for data scientists, coders, analysts, and smart systems operators, he said, “As President of the National Association of Stevedoring Operators (NASO), I want to affirm that our industry is also undergoing change.
“The traditional image of cargo handling is being reimagined with digital inventory systems, remote operations, and advanced safety technologies. We are therefore, committed to working with institutions, regulators, and stakeholders to promote training and youth involvement in stevedoring innovations.
“To the students: you are not just the future—you are the present. You must not wait for change to happen; you must prepare for it, adapt to it, and be the ones driving it.”
On her part, the President of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association, NMLA, Mrs. Funke Agbor SAN, who doubles as the mother of the day, informed the students that the maritime was quite broad in including both land based and shore based opportunities even as she urged them to seize the opportunities like the one presented by the conference to meet and engage with industry stakeholders who had excelled and made name for themselves as they stand to gain a lot of insights from them.
“Do not be shy to approach the people you have admired from afar, this is an opportunity to actually talk to those people, don’t be shy, don’t feel that you can’t talk to anybody because you can. You have a mouth, you have a head, you have ambition, you have prospects and this is where it can really happen.
“Also as the theme of today’s conference is about automation and digitalization, it’s also about the future and you are that future. A lot of you have IT skills and not just IT, a lot of you have presence in cyber space, make good use of it.
“A lot of the engineering wonders of this world come from the maritime industry because a lot of what we do, we have to do it from the water because there are things in the water, in the ocean that people don’t actually, all sorts of machines, all sorts of mechanisms that are used to ensure that life is made better for those who are in the industry in terms of labour issues and all of that”, she said.
Also speaking, Mrs. Eunice Ezeoke, a former staff of NPA challenged the students to use the tremendous opportunities, capacity and ability inherent in them to conquer the challenges that were present in the maritime industry today.
According to her, “The world has been compressed into your laptop and nothing that is going on today that you don’t have in there. So, you can always link up, key in, latch on to things that are good, productive, positive that will enhance your life, your opportunities and your future.
“Make sure that when you are looking at your phone or your laptop, that you will see something that will add value to what you can be and add value to your industry, not just following events that don’t add anything to you.
“I will advise too that reduce your time in frivolities and focus more on things that will add to the industry that you are in and build you up and also enhance your marketability. Therefore, the future is there, the future is the youth and the maritime industry is also the youth. Therefore, you have opportunity, key into it and excel in it.
“Therefore, I am advising you, make good use of the time that you have, never misuse any opportunity or privilege that you have. You are actually privileged to be in this hall, so make sure you take something back and make sure that you add value to the industry.
“Make sure you learn, always don’t loose any opportunity to learn, go on a private and special courses, let it be an added value that you have and a step forward to be ahead of your mates and colleagues. I wish you the best.”
Highlights of the event includes speech making competition by the three selected finalists, presentation of awards to the best graduated students, panel discussion, Photo sessions among others. Meanwhile, the event was put together by Platform Communications.
Photo 1: Mr. Bolaji Sunmola, Chairman, Nigerian Ports Consultative Council, NPCC speaking during the event Tuesday.
Photos 2 & 3: Cross-sections of the participants at the 2025 AMSAY Conference organized by Platform Communications in Lagos Tuesday.
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