Maritime skills gap: AMJON summit to explore AI, digitalisation, workforce reskilling

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The widening skills gap in Nigeria’s maritime industry will take centre stage as the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) convenes stakeholders for its 2026 Maritime Training Summit in Lagos, with discussions expected to focus on artificial intelligence, digitalisation, automation and workforce reskilling.

The one-day summit, scheduled for September 4 at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, will be held under the theme, “The Power of Innovation in a Future-Ready Maritime Training Agenda.”

The event is expected to bring together policymakers, regulators, government agencies, maritime operators, academics, training institutions, technology experts and development partners to examine how Nigeria can develop the human capital required to compete in an increasingly technology-driven global maritime economy.

AMJON said the summit was prompted by the rapid transformation taking place across the maritime industry, where artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics, digital platforms and other emerging technologies are increasingly changing the way ports, ships, customs administrations, logistics companies and other maritime businesses operate.

The Association said while Nigeria possesses significant maritime resources and occupies a strategic position along major international trade routes, the country risks failing to maximise those advantages if its workforce is not adequately prepared for the technological changes reshaping the industry.

One of the central questions expected to dominate the summit is how artificial intelligence and automation will affect maritime jobs and professional competencies.

AMJON said rather than viewing technology solely as a threat to employment, Nigeria should focus on preparing workers to operate alongside emerging technologies and creating new categories of jobs that will arise from digital transformation.

The discussions are therefore expected to cover workforce reskilling and upskilling, digital literacy, cybersecurity, data management, automated cargo-handling systems, smart ports and the changing competencies required in shipping, logistics and maritime administration.

The Association said maritime training institutions must move beyond conventional approaches and continuously update their curricula to reflect the technological and operational realities of the modern maritime industry.

A major feature of the summit will be a presentation by the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on “An Overview of Customs Journey for National Economic Security Using Cutting-Edge Innovations.”

AMJON said the presentation would provide an opportunity to examine how technological transformation is already affecting Nigeria’s trade and border-management environment.

The Association cited the NCS Unified Customs Management System, known as B’Odogwu, its integration with the National Single Window initiative, the Time Release Study, the One Stop Shop initiative and the deployment of drones for border surveillance as examples of technology-driven reforms within the maritime trade chain.

According to AMJON, such developments demonstrate that digitalisation is no longer a future concept but an operational reality requiring personnel with the right technical and professional capabilities.

The summit will also examine the wider human-capital requirements of Nigeria’s emerging Blue Economy.

AMJON said sectors such as shipping, port operations, logistics, fisheries, offshore energy, shipbuilding and repairs, marine transportation and other emerging marine-based industries would require specialised manpower if Nigeria is to translate its maritime resources into sustainable economic growth.

The Association is expected to challenge stakeholders to examine whether existing training institutions are adequately equipped with modern laboratories, simulators, digital infrastructure, qualified instructors and industry-relevant curricula.

It will also explore stronger partnerships between training institutions and private-sector operators to ensure that graduates possess practical skills that correspond with actual industry requirements.

President of AMJON, Vera Osokpo, said the summit was conceived to contribute to the national conversation on building a maritime workforce capable of responding to rapid technological changes.

She stressed that Nigeria’s Blue Economy ambitions must be matched by deliberate investment in human capital.

According to the Association, having modern ports, sophisticated digital platforms and advanced maritime infrastructure without adequately trained personnel would limit the country’s ability to derive maximum value from such investments.

The summit is therefore expected to focus not only on identifying the skills gap but also on practical strategies for closing it, including continuous professional development, industry-led training, certification, technology transfer, public-private partnerships and stronger links between academia and maritime businesses.

AMJON said the discussions would also provide an opportunity for maritime journalists to deepen their understanding of emerging technologies and contribute more effectively to informed public discourse on maritime policy and development.

The Association called on government agencies, maritime operators, training institutions, technology companies, financial institutions and development partners to support the initiative.

It expressed confidence that the September 4 summit would generate actionable recommendations for developing a future-ready maritime workforce and strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to compete in the global maritime and Blue Economy landscape.