The Mission to Seafarers, Lagos, a maritime organization, has revealed that 4,000 ships call at Lagos ports each year. According to Ilori, Nigeria deserves to have a significant voice in international maritime matters because it is a large maritime power.
The welfare of international seafarers should be a top priority, he continued. Ilori said that because of the nature of their employment, most sailors experience mental health issues.
He said that some seamen were unable to receive assistance at sea. The seafarer’s happiness index, he added, is extremely low. He continued by estimating that there were more than 1.5 million mariners worldwide. These are people who, on average, are away from their family, friends, and loved ones for up to nine months.