IMCA's Africa Regional Meeting in Lagos, Nigeria, on 6 August 2026 brought together Members, government representatives, and regulators to deepen engagement across the continent and support Africa's growing offshore, maritime, and subsea sectors.
The event attracted more than 120 delegates, including His Excellency, The Senator Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel, representing the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and generated significant interest from current and prospective IMCA Members and the local media.
A central theme of the meeting was the future of commercial diving training in West Africa and IMCA's support to make the country self-sufficient in terms of training and developing its offshore diving personnel.
IMCA CEO Iain Grainger and Diving Manager Bill Chilton reaffirmed the association's commitment to working closely with local trade associations, professional bodies, and training establishments to better understand industry challenges and identify practical solutions.
Investing in the next generation
Part of the regional outreach was a careers afternoon at the University of Lagos, where the IMCA team and IMCA Members spoke with over 200 engineering students about career opportunities available to them in the offshore industry, and discussed pathways into the industry with the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Professor Adeosun, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor FE Lei of Development Services, and other staff.
These discussions underscored the importance of IMCA's Next Generation Network, launched this year to support early-career professionals, and strengthen skills development and professional pathways.
Mary Ntamark (Member Engagement Lead for Africa) speaking with students at the University of Lagos.
IMCA extends its sincere thanks to our Africa Members: Post Assurance Brokers, West African Ventures, Atlantic Marine Oil, Subtec Academy, DCN Diving, YoungShip Nigeria, and our newest Africa Member Tamrose for their support on the day and for helping to make the career fair a success.
Mary Ntamark, Member Engagement Lead for Africa, said: "These conversations are expected to drive future initiatives to improve training standards, support competence development, expand IMCA engagement, and ensure that Africa's offshore sector continues to grow safely, sustainably, and successfully. I am excited that this is just the beginning of our engagement in West Africa, and encourage all African Members to get engaged with the activities planned for the region."
Iain Grainger (CEO), Mary Ntamark (Member Engagement Lead for Africa), and Bill Chilton (Diving Manager) with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and his Staff.
Dr Mrs Mercy Ogbonnaya (PhD) (Lecturer engineering), Lekan Ajisae (CEO Post assurance brokers Ltd), Prof. Samson Oluropo Adeosun (Dean Faculty of Engineering), Bill Chilton (Diving Manager, IMCA), Prof. F.E. Lei (Development Services / Deputy Vice-Chancellor), Mary Ntamark (Member Engagement Lead for Africa, IMCA), Iain Grainger (CEO, IMCA) and Prof. Esther Makinde (lecturer engineering).
IMCA meeting with Diving Stakeholders with representation from Ministry of Labour, NIMIMSA, NAPROD.
His Excellency, The Senator Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel, representing the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, The Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Petroleum Resources and Nigeria Governing Board representative.
