..As local operators seek greater recognition
Nigeria’s commercial diving industry has opened discussions with the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) on strengthening local training, competence and safety standards, as indigenous operators seek greater recognition within the global offshore diving industry.
The discussions took place in Lagos on Thursday during a visit by IMCA officials, which brought together commercial diving professionals, training institutions, regulators and other stakeholders to examine barriers to the development and international acceptance of Nigeria’s diving capacity.
Central to the engagement was the status of Nigerian diving training institutions and the need for a clearer pathway through which qualified local schools could demonstrate compliance with internationally accepted requirements.
Stakeholders argued that Nigeria already possesses considerable commercial diving expertise and training capacity, but requires stronger engagement with international industry institutions to address gaps in certification, standardisation and recognition.
Fielding questions with the media, IMCA Chief Executive Officer, Iain Grainger, acknowledged training as one of the challenges facing the industry and said closer engagement with Nigerian professional bodies and training institutions would form an important part of the association’s next steps.
“Yesterday, we spent time talking to the next generation of talent, to make them aware and interested in joining the industry. I think the next step is about starting to work together with the local members and local trade associations to identify exactly what the challenges are. We know that one of the challenges for the future of this industry is in the training of divers.
“So, we want to work together with the local trade associations and the local training establishments, and understand how we can fix this problem. That is really where I think the next stage of the engagement has to go – understanding the challenges and working together to address them.”
Senator Gbenga Daniel, who represented the Senate President at the meeting, pledged legislative support for measures capable of attracting investment and advancing the professional development of Nigeria’s diving industry.
Daniel said the National Assembly was interested in creating conditions that would enable investors to succeed, describing diving as “a noble profession” with economic potential.
Representing the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Director of Occupational Health, Florence Owie, said government’s priority was to ensure that commercial diving operations were carried out under conditions that protected divers and other personnel working in the hazardous underwater environment.
She stressed the importance of proper training, competent personnel, appropriate equipment and compliance with occupational safety requirements, adding that standards would only be effective when properly implemented, monitored and enforced.
Nigeria’s Chief Inspector of Diving, Julius Ugwala, said Nigerian diving schools were capable of meeting IMCA-prescribed requirements and should be given the opportunity to undergo the necessary assessment rather than allowing Nigerian divers to perpetually depend on foreign institutions for qualifications required for some international offshore operations.
He said greater cooperation between IMCA and Nigerian institutions could raise industry standards without compromising internationally accepted benchmarks.
Discussions consequently focused on the training requirements and systems, facilities, instructors, equipment, safety procedures, quality assurance and competence assessment.
Lending his voice, Retired Rear Admiral Joseph Ake said Nigeria already possessed significant commercial diving capacity and should build on that advantage by strengthening indigenous training, competence and professional standards.
He said developing local capability would enable more Nigerians to participate in the sector and reduce dependence on foreign expertise and training, while insisting that such capacity must be developed within recognised safety and operational frameworks.
IMCA’s Africa Lead, Mary Ntamark, broadened the discussions to the continental level, saying the association was seeking deeper engagement with African stakeholders to better understand the challenges confronting the offshore and commercial diving industry.
She stressed the importance of collaboration among operators, professional bodies and training institutions in building sustainable African capacity and improving the ability of practitioners to compete in the global offshore industry.
Other stakeholders agreed strengthening internationally credible local training could reduce the cost of overseas training, expand indigenous participation and position Nigeria as a stronger centre for commercial diving and subsea expertise in Africa.
Nigeria remains one of Africa’s major offshore Oil and Gas markets, generating substantial demand for commercial diving services, including underwater inspection, construction, maintenance and repair.
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