The Centre for Marine Surveying Nigeria (CMSN) has reinforced its strategic role in advancing Nigeria’s global standing in maritime services with the induction of 40 new professional members, underscoring a growing pipeline of indigenous technical expertise.
The induction ceremony, which held on Saturday in Lagos during the Centre’s maiden Students’ Luncheon, formally admitted the 2023 pioneer graduates of its Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Marine Surveying—run in collaboration with Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State—into the professional body.
President of CMSN, Engr. Akin Olaniyan, described the event as a defining milestone, noting that the initiative positions Nigeria as a credible hub for marine surveying competence within and beyond the West African sub-region. He commended the inductees for their discipline and readiness to operate in a technically demanding sector.
The Centre also conferred a membership award on the Chief Executive Officer of Waterside Centre NG and Publisher of One Page Africa, Hope Orivri, PhD., in recognition of her selfless contributions to mariners’ professional bodies, a gesture the CMSN President described as well-deserved.
“Today’s ceremony not only celebrates academic excellence but also marks your transition into a professional network committed to integrity, innovation, and industry advancement,” Olaniyan said, urging the new members to uphold the highest standards of practice.
Providing further context, the Pioneer National Coordinator of CMSN, Capt. Fola Ojutalayo, PhD., disclosed that the PGD programme remains the only specialised training of its kind in West Africa. He emphasized its potential to curb capital flight, generate employment, and deepen local capacity in marine surveying.
According to him, the Centre is already facilitating job opportunities for the inductees across multiple service areas, including wet and dry cargo surveying, underwater inspections, port facility assessments, and marine electrical systems evaluation.
“This programme is not just academic; it is economically catalytic. It equips Nigerian youths with practical competencies while directly linking them to employment opportunities,” Ojutalayo stated, encouraging the graduates to deploy their skills with confidence and professionalism.
Also speaking, Council Member and President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), Capt. Tajudeen Alao, stressed the critical importance of integrity in professional practice, noting that credibility remains the cornerstone of marine surveying.
In the same vein, CMSN National Vice President, Engr. Anthony Cookey, reiterated the Centre’s commitment to continuous professional support, highlighting that the training framework is designed to expand job prospects and ensure sustained competence in the sector.
Awards were presented to outstanding graduates, with Olawale Akerele emerging as Best Male Student, while Lola Olabanjo clinched Best Female Student. Olawale Sunday received the Leadership Award, while Apere Ebikeme and Stevenson Bereton were recognised in the Distinction category. The Outstanding Female Award went to Lola Olabanjo and Esther Biobele Uchacha.
