Young Nigerians interested in maritime careers have received support from the Prince Olawale Cole Maritime Foundation, which has announced the sponsorship of 200 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board registration slots.

The foundation revealed that the initiative coincides with celebrations marking the birthday of its founder, Prince Olawale Cole, who serves as Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents at Tin Can Island Port.

Foundation officials explained that the programme targets individuals aspiring to enter the maritime sector, to expand educational access and strengthen human capacity development within Nigeria's blue economy.

According to the organisation, the 200 JAMB slots were dedicated as a special gesture to mark the birthday of its founder, Prince Olawale Cole. The initiative, it stated, is open to interested members and aspiring entrants into the maritime sector, forming part of activities lined up to celebrate what it described as a legacy of visionary leadership and service.

The foundation disclosed that it also conducted charitable activities during the celebration, visiting a motherless babies' home where donations and gifts were distributed to the children.

The gesture, the foundation noted, reflects its commitment to uplifting the less privileged and extending compassion to vulnerable groups in society.

Representatives of the organisation described the dual education and charity programmes as a tribute to the leadership of its Tin Can chapter. They added that the foundation remains focused on using targeted interventions to inspire young people and build a pipeline of skilled professionals for the maritime industry.

They stressed that through initiatives such as the JAMB sponsorship and community outreach, the POC Maritime Foundation is deepening its investment in education, youth empowerment, and social responsibility, while reinforcing its broader mission of service and sectoral development.

The sponsorship comes as thousands of candidates continue registering for the 2026 UTME ahead of the 26th February 2026 deadline. Financial constraints remain a significant challenge for many families, making such philanthropic interventions valuable for students pursuing tertiary education.

The maritime foundation's contribution joins similar efforts by individuals and organisations nationwide who have provided free JAMB registration slots to economically disadvantaged students during the current examination cycle.