Section 84: Approval of foreign certificate

(1)
The Minister may approve in writing, a certificate of competency issued in accordance with any law in force in such country as may be prescribed, and any certificate so approved shall remain approved as long as it remains valid in that country.
(2)
Where a person holding a certificate referred to in subsection (1) of this Section is desirous of serving on a Nigerian Ship as Master, Deck Officer or Engineer, the Minister may direct that the person:
(a)
where he is a Citizen of Nigeria, be granted a certificate of equivalent grade under this Act;
(b)
where he is not a citizen of Nigeria, be issued with a licence, authorisingthat person to serve on a Nigerian ship in the same capacity as if the certificate had been granted under this Act, subject to such conditions as the Minister may impose.
(3)
A licence issued under subsection (2) of this Section, shall:
(a)
during the currency of the licence have the same force as a certificate of competency granted under this Act and may be cancelled or suspended for like reason;
(b)
be valid for a period of five years from the date of issue, and may be renewed upon such conditions as may be prescribed by the Minister.