Nigeria’s commercial diving industry said it has opened discussions with the International Marine Contractors Association on strengthening local training, competence and safety standards, as indigenous operators seek greater recognition within the global offshore diving industry.
According to a statement on Monday, the discussions took place in Lagos last week 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.
The statement added that 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.
It stressed that 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.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of IMCA, Iain Grainger, identified training as one of the key challenges confronting the industry.
