NSML awards ceremony highlights team spirit, untapped opportunities in Nigeria’s blue economy 

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

The Nigerian Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML) has credited its strong 2025 performance to a culture of safety, teamwork and professionalism, while calling for greater efforts to unlock the vast economic potential of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

The Managing Director of the company, Ahmed Abdulkadir, made this known during the 2025 NSML Performance Recognition and Awards Ceremony held at Bonny Island in Rivers State.

Speaking at the event, Abdulkadir said the ceremony was designed to celebrate the achievements of staff and stakeholders who contributed to the company’s operational success in the past year.

According to him, the gathering brings together the “NSML family” to recognise individuals and teams whose dedication, professionalism and resilience helped the organisation record remarkable progress in 2025.

He noted that Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy remains one of the country’s most promising yet underutilised sectors, particularly for a nation with a rapidly growing population and a large youth demographic.

“We must harness this industry’s vast opportunities,” Abdulkadir said, stressing that safety remains the company’s guiding principle and the foundation upon which its operations and asset management strategies are built.

“Our assets must be reliably available to deliver functions and create value,” he added, explaining that shipping plays a critical enabling role in the broader maritime ecosystem through reliability, safety and operational efficiency.

Reviewing the company’s performance, the Managing Director declared 2025 a successful year for NSML, attributing the achievement largely to the commitment of its workforce and the support of its partners and clients.

“Every achievement recorded in 2025 was made possible because of the dedication, professionalism and resilience each of you brought to the table,” he said.

Abdulkadir highlighted the company’s core values of Professionalism, Teamwork, Respect, Excellence and Care (PTREC), noting that the framework has shaped the company’s reputation across the maritime industry.

“PTREC is not just an internal mantra; it is the backbone of the strong reputation NSML carries across the maritime and shipping world,” he said.

The NSML boss explained that the awards ceremony goes beyond recognition, serving as a platform to celebrate collective achievements and acknowledge individuals and teams who pushed operational boundaries during the year.

Abdulkadir also commended the collaborative efforts of staff, clients, partners and service providers in positioning NSML as a leading maritime service provider and a growing centre of excellence within Nigeria’s shipping industry.

The event featured the presentation of awards to employees, maritime organisations and industry professionals in recognition of their outstanding performance and contributions to the sector in 2025.

The ceremony, according to the company, reflects NSML’s belief that people remain its greatest asset and a key driver of growth in Nigeria’s expanding maritime and blue economy.