The Centre for Marine Surveyors in Nigeria (CMSN) has embarked on a wide-ranging strategic initiative to professionalise the marine and cargo surveying sub-sector.

The President of the Centre, Akin Olaniyan, said the initiative is part of a broader reform agenda to ensure that marine surveying services in Nigeria are delivered by licensed professionals who meet local and international standards.

He said the centre was established to sanitise the marine surveying profession and provide a credible platform for self-regulation, technical development, and policy advocacy.

According to him, the Centre is working to address a critical gap in Nigeria’s maritime industry by fostering competence through education, certification and collaboration with key stakeholders.

A core part of this drive is the Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Surveying, run in partnership with Niger Delta University, which is tailored to provide both practical and academic training to maritime professionals.

Olaniyan noted that CMSN has secured collaborations with institutions like the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), which has sponsored several training programmes through the Centre to develop indigenous capacity in the marine survey space.

He added that the Centre has also established student clubs in the University of Lagos and the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology to encourage early interest and career growth.

“As we continue to grow, our focus remains on strengthening industry standards, expanding student enrolment, and building partnerships that will provide our graduates with hands-on experience and employment opportunities,” he said.