Stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry have reaffirmed their commitment to youth development and capacity building, awarding a total of N3.02 million in cash prizes and scholarship to outstanding students during the 10th Annual Maritime Students and Youth (AMSAY) Conference held last week in Lagos.
The conference, organised by Platform Communications, took place on June 10, 2026, at the Mission to Seafarers Conference Hall, Apapa, Lagos, under the theme, “A Decade of AMSAY Conference: Eyes on the Horizon.”
The event brought together maritime industry leaders, regulators, academics and students to discuss the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector and the role of young professionals in driving its growth.
A major highlight of the conference was the presentation of cash rewards to exceptional students across various maritime disciplines, as industry stakeholders and organisations contributed funds to encourage academic excellence and professional development.
Nine best graduating students in maritime-related courses received N200,000 each, amounting to N1.8 million in cash prizes.
The beneficiaries included top graduating students in Marine Engineering, Maritime Law, Maritime Transportation and Business Studies, Shipping Management, Nautical Science, Maritime Security and Safety Management, Fisheries Technology, Best Graduating Female Maritime Student and the Overall Best Graduating Maritime Student.
Sponsors of the awards included the Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES), Chief Barrister Osuala E. Nwagbara, Mrs. Eunice N. Ezeoke, Alhaji Aminu Umar, Capt. Segun Akanbi, Capt. Elei Green, Dr. Anthony Joshua, Hajia Bola Muse and Capt. Sunday Umoren.
In addition, winners of the 5th Fola Ojutalayo’s Annual Maritime Speech-Making Competition received cash prizes worth N1.22 million, sponsored by Capt. Dr. Fola Ojutalayo, Mr. Samuel Aremu, Adekola Adesakin, Mrs. Folake Ojutalayo-Salvage, Prof. Isaac Ojutalayo, Elkins Marine Training International and Engr. Greg Ogbeifun.
This is in addition to university scholarship offered to the winner of the Speech competition, Mariam Olamide Joshua by Engr Greg Ogbeifun, Chairman of Starzs Investment Company Ltd.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the occasion, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, commended the organisers for sustaining the conference over the past decade and providing a platform that connects students and young professionals with key players in the maritime industry.
He emphasised the importance of mentorship, education and skills acquisition in preparing the next generation of maritime professionals for leadership roles within the sector.
Participants were encouraged to embrace professionalism, innovation and continuous learning as the industry evolves and presents new opportunities for growth.
The conference also reflected on AMSAY’s decade-long journey of mentoring, inspiring and empowering maritime students while charting a course for greater impact in the years ahead.
Organisers expressed appreciation to the individuals and organisations that sponsored the awards, noting that their contributions would help motivate students to strive for excellence and contribute meaningfully to the development of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
With more than N3 million disbursed in prizes to the 13 students and scholarship to one outstanding undergraduate, the 10th AMSAY Conference underscored the growing commitment of industry stakeholders to investing in the future of Nigeria’s maritime workforce.
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