Study of the Factors Affecting Career Choice of Marine Engineering Students in Kano State

Understanding the motivational factors that influence students to pursue marine engineering as a career is important for workforce planning and professional development in Nigeria's maritime sector. This study investigates the socio-economic, cultural, and institutional factors influencing the career choices of marine engineering students in Kano State, North West Nigeria, where maritime education is offered through the Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology and selected polytechnics. A descriptive survey design was employed, with structured questionnaires administered to one hundred and five current students. In-depth interviews were conducted with ten lecturers and five maritime industry professionals. Findings indicate that the most commonly cited motivating factors are the prospect of high earning potential in the offshore oil industry, family influence, and the limited availability of alternative technical education options. Awareness of the broader scope of marine engineering, including naval architecture, offshore engineering, and port management, is low among students, with many arriving with a narrow conception of the profession focused solely on engine operation. Gender imbalance is pronounced, with female students constituting fewer than twelve percent of enrolment, partly attributable to cultural perceptions of seafaring as male-dominated. Recommendations include career awareness programmes targeting secondary schools in the North West zone, industry mentorship schemes linking students with practising marine engineers, and deliberate scholarship initiatives targeting female students from the region. Keywords: career choice, marine engineering education, Kano State, maritime workforce, gender diversity