Anchored in Purpose: Emmanuel’s Story of Service With Mercy Ships
Emmanuel Nwaji , Second Officer.
Emmanuel Nwaji is a 34-year-old maritime officer from Nigeria. He serves on board the Global Mercy™ as a second officer and is responsible for navigation and training. Known for his impeccable leadership and commitment to excellence, he plays a vital role in keeping the ship and its mission on course.
As a child, his father desired a different career path for him. One where he’d put on a white coat and a stethoscope to save lives in a hospital. But Emmanuel chose a different path; one that involves charts, compasses, and the open seas.
Today, in a full-circle moment, Emmanuel serves on a hospital ship. It’s not quite the hospital his father had in mind, but he enjoys living out his career dream while being part of a mission that provides free surgical care to those who need it most.
Charting an Unexpected Course
Emmanuel’s journey to becoming a maritime officer started in 2009, as he prepared to join university.
His father’s desire for him to become a medical doctor was clear so out of respect, when it was time for university application, Emmanuel chose medicine.
His application was successful, but his heart wasn’t in it. “I didn’t like the idea of seeing blood every time and handling medication,” he disclosed.
He was just about to start the program when he heard about a government scholarship in Nigeria. Without hesitation and with little knowledge of what it entailed, Emmanuel applied. “I just said, if this was the way out [of studying medicine], I was willing to take it,” he shared.
A few months later, he got an unexpected confirmation that he had been awarded the scholarship to study nautical science at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport in Egypt.
His father welcomed the news, “He didn’t have to pay school fees, so it was a win-win for both of us,” Emmanuel noted.
In 2010, Emmanuel began his four-year nautical studies. At first, it was just the allure of travelling and studying in another country that excited him. But soon he recognized the value and impact of his chosen field.
“95% of world trade is dependent on the maritime industry,” he explained. “I was fascinated by the amount of wealth a nation stands to gain if they have a properly developed maritime system.”
The inspiration by his lecturers and the travel opportunities deepened his passion for the career he hadn’t planned for.
Emmanuel, during the sail of the Global Mercy to Spain.
Learning The Ropes at Sea
His first experience on board a ship came in 2012 during his sea service on board a training vessel. After a year on the training vessel, he returned to school before successfully taking his licensing exam to become a deck officer in 2014.
By 2016, Emmanuel was serving on his first vessel as an officer. “I was loving it. I was visiting a lot of places I’d never visited before and the pay seemed good,” he recalled.
He got most of his work experience working on tankers where he honed his skills. “I was part of rigorous ship-to-ship operations, oil transfer operations, and maneuvering operations. I learned a lot about navigation, cargo handling, seamanship, and bridge watch,” he described. “I sailed on some really narrow rivers and canals in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.”
In 2022, he transitioned to offshore vessels, working abord a survey ship. “We surveyed beneath the sea to find pockets of oil and gas, before they were extracted.” Two years later, a former colleague told him about Mercy Ships; a discovery that would put him on a new journey.
Anchored In a Greater Mission
The thrill of doing something different from the ships he’s worked on, coupled with the YouTube videos he watched, and testimony from his friend, convinced him to apply to volunteer with Mercy Ships. He was particularly fascinated because he once did a presentation in maritime school about hospital ships.
“Something else that excited me was the fact that it was a faith-based organization,” he added.
For Emmanuel, faith is his biggest drive in life.
His Christian values influenced his decision to volunteer with Mercy Ships and the chance to share his love for Jesus while helping others was the highlight. Beyond faith, the mission deeply resonated with him. “Even if it wasn’t a Christian organization, just their values and the things that they do, that was enough for me.”
Embracing the Mercy Ships Experience
His first experience with Mercy Ships was on board the Africa Mercy®, where he served for three months in 2024. “Speaking as a sailor, it was totally different from what you would find on a commercial vessel,” he said. “Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. There was just this atmosphere of love and acceptance.”
He felt at home immediately. This sense of belonging shaped his next steps and in time, he applied for an extension. “I was convinced to extend my commitment because after experiencing the love on the ship and getting to find out about what Mercy Ships does, my heart wasn’t ready to go back to working on commercial vessels.”
“Mercy Ships made me really see the need in Africa. It was mind-blowing to see that in just one field service, the ship carries out over a thousand surgeries,” he noted. “I’m really happy this is happening in Africa. And I get to be a part of it.”
He wanted his wife, Sophia, to experience it too. “I used to call her on the phone to show her what’s happening,” he disclosed.
At the time of his first application, Emmanuel was concerned about being away from his wife. “My wife is such a wonderful person. She makes me very happy.”
Later that year, Sophia applied to volunteer and join Emmanuel. They committed to serving for two years on board the Global Mercy™. Emmanuel continued as a second officer while Sophia joined as the crew banker.
When Profession Meets Purpose
Emmanuel loves many things about his profession. While it involves routine work, he enjoys the thrill of planning different voyages.
“On board Mercy Ships, my day usually starts with morning devotion with the team, which is always interesting,” Emmanuel shared. From there, he attends morning meetings to discuss the day’s work.
As a navigation and training officer, he organizes three trainings each week. Emmanuel says that the most fulfilling part of his role is the opportunity to train people – technical teams, fire teams, volunteers from other departments, and national crew.
Yet, his days are not all work. “Some time in the afternoon, I get to see my wife, and we have lunch together.” That part is a very integral and interesting part of my day.”
Emmanuel, and his wife Sophia Nwaji, Crew Banker, during the sail of the GLM to Spain.
A Community Like No Other
For Emmanuel, the greatest difference between commercial vessels and Mercy Ships is in the culture and community. “On a commercial vessel, you work for money, and your goal is your career. But on Mercy Ships, there’s a better reward. There’s just this fulfillment you get, knowing that you’re a part of something bigger.”
That culture of encouragement and humility struck him from the beginning. “On Mercy Ships, you’re encouraged, you’re trained. Everyone is willing to give you a helping hand without looking down on you,” he shared. “I remember coming on Mercy Ships and everyone, including the captain, was willing to help me in any way. The chief officer told me, ‘If you need any help or when you’re ready to do the job, just let me know, we’ll do it together.’”
“My Mercy Ships experience has been wonderful,” Emmanuel reflected. “There’s been a lot of reasons to laugh and a lot of learning. There’s never a week that passes that you feel like it was boring. There’s always something to look forward to.”
Serving in an environment built on encouragement and support has impacted Emmanuel’s professional life. “I have learned how effective teamwork can be. I’ve also learned that people thrive more in an environment of love and acceptance,” he shared.
When Emmanuel is not working, he enjoys going for walks to explore the port city where the ship is docked. He also lends a hand with the Audio/Visual team, “For events that happen in the international lounge, I get to cover camera duties.”
As a movie enthusiast, he is part of a group that hosts regular movie nights. He and his wife also enjoy sewing and crafting together during their downtime.
Emmanuel describes the Mercy Ships community as dynamic. “Mercy Ships has created an environment where people from different countries, languages, and cultures can feel safe and seen.”
That sense of belonging is why he encourages other seafarers to apply. “I definitely recommend serving on Mercy Ships to other seafarers,” Emmanuel asserted. “Even if it’s just one time. It has a way of changing your outlook on how the maritime industry should operate.”
Although Emmanuel didn’t become the doctor his father initially envisioned, the joy and rewards he experiences in his current role are far greater than he ever imagined. “I think it’s divine that my dad wanted me to be a doctor,” he reflected. “I’m not here as a doctor, but the work I do supports surgeries and medical procedures on the ship.”
Are you a maritime officer ready for a higher calling? Mercy Ships is looking for skilled professionals like you to drive our mission of bringing hope and healing. Visit mercyships.org today to get started!
