NPA Recruitment 2026/2027: Positions, Requirements & How to Apply

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has officially opened its 2026/2027 recruitment exercise, inviting applications for nine positions across trainee, technical, and experienced maritime cadres. The vacancies span entry-level roles for SSCE holders up to experienced officer positions requiring professional maritime certification, with deployment locations in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Onne, Warri, and Calabar.

Applications close on September 23, 2026. Unlike some other federal agencies, NPA is not using an online application portal for this exercise, candidates must submit a CV directly by post to the Authority’s Human Resources department in Lagos. The process is completely free.

This guide covers every position on offer, exact eligibility requirements by role, the correct application method (and why several websites are getting this wrong), and how to avoid the fake NPA recruitment websites the Authority itself has publicly warned about.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the NPA recruitment notice and verified job listings available as of late August 2026. Recruitment details can be updated by NPA without notice. Always confirm current details directly on nigerianports.gov.ng before applying.

Overview of The NPA Recruitment 2026/2027

Detail	Information
Recruiting agency	Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)
Supervising ministry	Federal Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy
Application status	Open
Application closing date	September 23, 2026
Application method	By post/CV submission
Application address	The General Manager, Human Resources, Nigerian Ports Authority, 26/28 Marina, Lagos
Application fee	Free
Number of positions	9, across trainee, technical, and experienced maritime cadres
Deployment locations	Lagos, Port Harcourt, Onne, Warri, Calabar
Minimum qualification	SSCE/WASSCE (5 credits, science subjects)
Highest qualification/experience required	Class 1 Certificate of Competency (Deck) Unlimited, 10 years cognate experience for management-level roles
Official website	nigerianports.gov.ng

Is NPA Recruitment 2026/2027 Currently Open?

Yes. The NPA has officially published a fresh recruitment notice covering nine specific positions. If you’re seeing this, then continue reading and see how you can get your space in the available positions in NPA this year.

Important: There Is No Online Application Portal for This Recruitment

This is the single most important practical point in this guide, because a number of websites incorrectly describe an online “NPA recruitment portal” for applicants to register on. Based on the actual published recruitment notice, that is not how this exercise works.

NPA’s current notice requires candidates to submit a physical or emailed CV, not fill out an online application form, directly to the Authority’s Human Resources office. Don’t waste time searching for a portal login page that doesn’t exist for this particular recruitment cycle; follow the application method described later in this guide instead.

What Does NPA Stand for?

The Nigerian Ports Authority is the federal government agency responsible for governing and operating Nigeria’s ports, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy.

NPA’s major port complexes include the Lagos Port Complex, Lekki Deep Sea Port, and Tin Can Island Port Complex in Lagos State; the Calabar Port Complex in Cross River State; the Delta Ports in Warri, Delta State; and the Rivers Port Complex and Onne Port Complex in Rivers State.

NPA’s responsibilities include harbour services, cargo handling, marine services, health, safety and environment services, security services, and engineering and technical services, which is why its recruitment spans everything from entry-level trainee seaman roles to senior marine engineering and harbour management positions.

Current Available Positions in NPA Recruitment 2026/2027

NPA is recruiting for nine positions this cycle, spanning four broad qualification levels: SSCE-level entry roles, OND-level technical roles, degree/HND-level professional roles, and experienced management-level roles requiring years of cognate experience.

Position Comparison Table

Position	Salary Scale	Minimum Qualification	Age Range
Pilot Trainee	JSS 2 (GL 06)	OND in Nautical Science + Seafarers Medical Certificate	20–27 years
Marine Engineering Trainee	JSS 2 (GL 06)	OND in Marine Engineering + Seafarers Medical Certificate	20–27 years
Trainee Seaman	JSS 3 (GL 04)	5 WASSCE credits (science subjects, incl. English & Maths)	18–25 years
Signalman-in-Training	JSS 3 (GL 04)	5 WASSCE credits (science subjects, incl. English & Maths)	18–25 years
Radio Officer II	SSS 4 (GL 08)	BSc/HND Electrical/Electronics Engineering or IT + STCW 95 + GMDSS	23–35 years
Assistant Manager, Radio	SSS 1 (GL 12)	Same as Radio Officer II + 10 years cognate experience	23–35 years
Marine Officer II	SSS 4 (GL 08)	OND Nautical Science + OOW Unlimited Certificate of Competency	22–35 years
Senior Marine Officer/Engineer	SSS 2 (GL 10)	Class 2 CoC (Deck), Chief Mate Unlimited, or 1st Mate Certificate	25–35 years
Assistant Manager, Harbours	SSS 1 (GL 12)	Class 1 Certificate of Competency (Deck) Unlimited + ability to swim	25–35 years

Entry-Level Trainee Positions (SSCE/OND Holders)

1. Pilot Trainee (JSS 2, GL 06): For candidates with a minimum of OND in Nautical Science, a Seafarers Medical Certificate of Fitness, and WASSCE or equivalent. Knowledge of ICT is an advantage. This role is aimed at young candidates seeking a career in marine navigation and pilotage.
2. Marine Engineering Trainee (JSS 2, GL 06): Requires a minimum of OND in Marine Engineering, alongside a Seafarers Medical Certificate and WASSCE. This is an entry route into technical marine engineering careers.
3. Trainee Seaman (JSS 3, GL 04): Requires five credits in science subjects (including English Language and Mathematics) obtained in not more than two sittings, from WASSCE or its equivalent. Only candidates whose certificates were obtained within the last eight years should apply. This is one of the more accessible entry points for candidates without a tertiary qualification.
4. Signalman-in-Training (JSS 3, GL 04): Same academic requirements as Trainee Seaman: five WASSCE credits including English and Mathematics, obtained within the last eight years.

NPA Technical and Officer-Level Positions

1. Radio Officer II (SSS 4, GL 08): Requires a BSc or HND in Electrical/Electronics Engineering or Information Technology, along with STCW 95 (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) and GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) certification. Responsibilities include maintaining radio/VTS equipment and monitoring communication quality.
2. Marine Officer II (SSS 4, GL 08): Requires an OND in Nautical Science and an Officer of the Watch (OOW) Unlimited Certificate of Competency, plus a Seafarers Medical Certificate. This role suits applicants who already hold professional maritime qualifications.

NPA Senior and Management-Level Positions

1. Assistant Manager, Radio (SSS 1, GL 12): Same academic and certification requirements as Radio Officer II, plus 10 years of cognate experience.
2. Senior Marine Officer/Engineer (SSS 2, GL 10): Requires a Class 2 Certificate of Competency (Deck), Chief Mate Unlimited, or 1st Mate Certificate, plus a Seafarers Medical Certificate.
3. Assistant Manager, Harbours (SSS 1, GL 12): Requires a Class 1 Certificate of Competency (Deck) Unlimited, a Seafarers Medical Certificate, and the ability to swim.

Important note: The recruitment notice specifically states that the ability to swim is a mandatory prerequisite for the Pilot Trainee and Assistant Manager, Harbours positions.

General Eligibility Requirements

Across all positions, applicants should note:

• Requirements, qualifications, professional certifications, experience levels, and age limits differ considerably by position — read the specific requirements for your chosen role carefully before applying
• Relevant professional maritime certifications (STCW 95, GMDSS, OOW, Certificates of Competency) are non-negotiable for the roles that require them, meeting the academic qualification alone is not sufficient
• A Seafarers Medical Certificate of Fitness is required for most maritime-facing roles
• Knowledge of ICT is listed as an advantage (not mandatory) for several entry-level positions
• Meeting the minimum qualification requirements does not automatically guarantee shortlisting or employment

What to Include in Your Application (CV Requirements)

Since this recruitment is CV-based rather than form-based, presentation and completeness matter. Your application should include:

Item	Notes
Email address	Must be active and checked regularly
Postal/contact address	Must be a physical address — a P.O. Box is explicitly not accepted
Mobile telephone number	Should be reachable
Qualifications	Educational certificates relevant to your chosen position
Relevant professional certificates	STCW 95, GMDSS, OOW, Certificate of Competency, etc., as applicable to the role
Other required information	As specified for your specific position

READ ALSO: Cover Letter Sample for Job Applications in Nigeria 2026/2027

How to Apply for NPA Recruitment 2026/2027

1. Choose the position that matches your qualification: Review the position table above carefully, applying for a role above your qualification or without the required professional certification will not improve your chances.
2. Prepare a comprehensive CV including your email address, a physical postal/contact address (not a P.O. Box), mobile telephone number, qualifications, and relevant professional certificates.
3. Address your application to: The General Manager, Human Resources Nigerian Ports Authority 26/28 Marina, Lagos, Nigeria
4. Submit your application by post to the address above, following the exact instructions in the official notice. NPA’s notice does not describe an online submission portal for this exercise.
5. Keep a copy of everything you submit, including proof of postage where possible, for your own records.
6. Wait to be contacted. Only shortlisted applicants are invited to the next stage, NPA has not indicated it will individually notify unsuccessful applicants.

Employment Locations

Successful candidates should be prepared for deployment to any of NPA’s operational locations:

• Lagos
• Port Harcourt
• Onne
• Warri
• Calabar

Consider the operational, sometimes physically demanding nature of NPA’s work and the possibility of deployment away from your home state, before applying.

NPA Recruitment Selection Process

According to the recruitment notice, only shortlisted applicants will be invited to proceed through the following stages:

1. Written test
2. Interview
3. Medical examination

Meeting the minimum qualification requirements for your chosen position does not automatically guarantee you’ll be shortlisted for these stages, let alone offered employment.

NPA Salary Grade Levels: What JSS and SSS Mean

NPA’s positions use a grading system of JSS (Junior Staff Grade) and SSS (Senior Staff Grade), each paired with a numeric Grade Level (GL), broadly comparable in structure to the CONTISS/CONRAISS-style grading used by other Nigerian federal parastatals:

• JSS 3 (GL 04): Entry-level positions (Trainee Seaman, Signalman-in-Training)
• JSS 2 (GL 06): Trainee positions requiring an OND (Pilot Trainee, Marine Engineering Trainee)
• SSS 4 (GL 08): Officer-level positions (Radio Officer II, Marine Officer II)
• SSS 2 (GL 10): Senior officer positions (Senior Marine Officer/Engineer)
• SSS 1 (GL 12): Assistant manager-level positions (Assistant Manager, Radio; Assistant Manager, Harbours)

NPA has not published exact monthly salary figures alongside this recruitment notice. As with other federal maritime and parastatal agencies, actual take-home pay depends on allowances, location, and the Authority’s own internal pay structure.

Treat any specific naira figure you see quoted elsewhere for these grade levels as an estimate rather than an official NPA figure, unless NPA itself publishes one.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Looking for an online application portal that doesn’t exist for this exercise. Submit by post to the address specified in the notice instead.
• Applying for a position without the required professional certification. An academic qualification alone is not enough for roles requiring STCW 95, GMDSS, OOW, or a specific Certificate of Competency.
• Using a P.O. Box as your contact address. The notice explicitly requires a physical postal/contact address.
• Missing the age range for your chosen position. Age limits vary meaningfully between roles (as narrow as 18–25 for some entry roles, up to 35 for senior roles), check carefully.
• Submitting an incomplete CV. Missing your email, phone number, or required certificates can result in your application being disregarded at the review stage.
• Applying for the Pilot Trainee or Assistant Manager, Harbours roles without being able to swim. This is an explicit, non-negotiable requirement for these two positions.
• Paying anyone for a form, “assistance,” or a guaranteed slot. NPA has explicitly stated there is no fee required for its employment process.

Beware of Fake NPA Recruitment Websites

NPA’s own recruitment notice includes a direct warning worth repeating in full: the Authority states it is aware of illegal websites purporting to be the Nigerian Ports Authority and soliciting applications for employment, and advises members of the public to disregard any website other than the official one. Protect yourself:

• There is no fee for NPA’s recruitment process. Anyone asking you to pay for a form, “processing,” or a guaranteed slot is not acting on NPA’s behalf.
• Only trust nigerianports.gov.ng as NPA’s official website. Be suspicious of similar-looking domains.
• This exercise does not use an online portal, so any site asking you to “register” or “create an account” to apply for these specific positions should be treated with particular suspicion.
• Verify any recruitment claim against the official website or established Nigerian news outlets before acting on it, sharing personal information, or paying anything.

Useful Tips to Improve Your Chances

• Match your CV precisely to your chosen position’s requirements, listing the exact certifications named in the notice (STCW 95, GMDSS, OOW, specific Certificates of Competency) rather than generic maritime experience.
• Double-check your age against the specific role’s age range before applying, this varies by position and is a common, avoidable disqualifier.
• Present your CV professionally and completely, since this is a CV-based (not form-based) exercise, a well-organised, complete CV stands out more than it would in a standardised online application.
• Keep proof of your application submission, including postage receipts, in case you need to confirm you applied within the window.
• Prepare for the written test and interview stage now if you meet a role’s requirements, rather than waiting until you’re contacted.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is NPA recruitment 2026/2027 currently open?

Yes. NPA opened a recruitment exercise covering nine positions in mid-August 2026, with applications closing September 23, 2026.

2. What is the NPA recruitment portal?

There isn’t one for this exercise. NPA’s current recruitment notice requires applicants to submit a CV by post to the Human Resources department, not through an online application portal.

3. How do I apply for NPA recruitment 2026/2027?

Send a comprehensive CV, including your email, physical postal address, phone number, qualifications, and relevant certificates, to The General Manager, Human Resources, Nigerian Ports Authority, 26/28 Marina, Lagos.

4. Is NPA recruitment free?

Yes. NPA has explicitly stated there is no fee required for its employment process.

5. When does NPA recruitment 2026/2027 close?

The closing date is September 23, 2026.

6. What positions is NPA recruiting for?

Nine positions across trainee, technical, and management levels: Pilot Trainee, Marine Engineering Trainee, Trainee Seaman, Signalman-in-Training, Radio Officer II, Assistant Manager (Radio), Marine Officer II, Senior Marine Officer/Engineer, and Assistant Manager (Harbours).

7. What is the minimum qualification for NPA recruitment?

The minimum is five WASSCE credits (including English Language and Mathematics) in science subjects for the Trainee Seaman and Signalman-in-Training positions. Other positions require OND, HND/BSc, or professional maritime certifications.

8. What is the age limit for NPA recruitment?

It varies by position, ranging from 18–25 years for entry-level trainee roles up to 23–35 years for officer and management-level roles. Check the specific range for your chosen position.

9. Do I need a professional maritime certificate to apply?

For several positions, yes, Radio Officer II and Assistant Manager (Radio) require STCW 95 and GMDSS certification; Marine Officer II requires an OOW Unlimited Certificate of Competency; Senior Marine Officer/Engineer and Assistant Manager (Harbours) require specific Certificates of Competency.

10. Where will successful candidates be deployed?

NPA’s listed locations for this recruitment are Lagos, Port Harcourt, Onne, Warri, and Calabar.

11. What happens after I submit my application?

Only shortlisted applicants are contacted, and proceed through a written test, an interview, and a medical examination.

12. Is it true that ability to swim is required?

Yes, but only for two specific positions: Pilot Trainee and Assistant Manager, Harbours. It is not listed as a requirement for the other seven positions.

13. How can I tell if an NPA recruitment website is fake?

NPA itself has warned that illegal websites impersonating the Authority exist. Only trust nigerianports.gov.ng, be suspicious of any site offering a “portal” for this particular exercise (since none exists), and never pay for a form or a slot.

14. What is NPA’s official website?

The official NPA website is www.nigerianports.gov.ng.

Conclusion

NPA Recruitment 2026/2027 is a genuine, currently open exercise — closing September 23, 2026 — covering nine positions from entry-level trainee roles to senior maritime management. The most important thing to get right is the application method: there is no online portal for this cycle, so applicants should prepare a complete, well-matched CV and submit it by post to NPA’s Human Resources department in Lagos, exactly as specified in the official notice. As always, apply for free, verify anything you’re unsure about directly on nigerianports.gov.ng, and disregard any website NPA hasn’t itself endorsed.

This article will be updated if NPA revises the recruitment notice, extends the deadline, or introduces further guidance before the September 23, 2026 closing date. Bookmark this page and check back for updates.