The Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Kevin Okonna, has revealed how the Academy is ensuring a skilled and productive workforce for Nigeria’s maritime industry.
Dr. Okonna emphasised that MAN is committed to consistently providing the merchant navy, the maritime industry and allied industries with high-quality education and training that accords with up-to-date technology, meets national and international standards and satisfies or exceeds customers’ expectations.
He made these remarks while delivering a paper titled “Maritime Academy of Nigeria: Ensuring Efficient Manpower in Nigeria Maritime industry, Strategies and Options”, at the 2025 Annual Conference of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON), held at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, on Friday.
The AMJON 2025 Conference was themed “Maritime Development: Training, Ports Efficiency and Shipping Development”.
Okonna, who was represented by MAN’s spokesperson, Domo Umoekpe, disclosed that the Academy has three schools offering programmes at both National Diploma and Higher National Diploma levels.
Umoekpe highlighted the schools, including the School of Engineering, School of Maritime Transport Studies, and School of Nautical Studies.
She also revealed that the Academy operates a Specialised Seafarers Training Centre, where management courses and professional short courses in Certificate of Competency, in line with the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) 78 Convention (as amended), are offered for personnel in the maritime and allied industries.
“Because human capacity is the bedrock of maritime development, our quality policy statement is tailored towards ensuring a steady supply of competent, globally competitive maritime professionals for Nigeria and beyond,” Umoekpe stated.
She pointed out several key areas the Academy is enhancing the development of efficient human capacity, including Modern Maritime Training, World-Class Training Facilities, and Industry Collaboration and Partnerships.
Others are Enabling Learning Environment, Capacity Building for other MTIs, and Competent Instructors.
On Modern Maritime Training, the spokesperson explained that the Academy provides innovative maritime programmes that satisfy national and international standards, and comply with statutory requirements.
According to her, all courses offered by the Academy are accredited by notable bodies such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
She also mentioned that the Academy’s curriculum is developed and reviewed to align with the standards of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), adding that the school also offers 12 simulator-based courses that are fully accredited.
With reference to World-Class Training Facilities, Umoekpe said that MAN utilises modern technology and equipment, including simulators, to deliver hands-on practical training.
She emphasised that the Academy houses a Marine Exhibition Hall, where various ship parts are on display to enhance the understanding of cadets and students, particularly first-timers.
Umoekpe stated that the MAN’s simulators are in line with the International Convention on STCW (1978) as amended, revealing the four simulators – Multi-functional Classroom Simulator, the Full Mission Bridge Simulator, Full Mission Engine Room, and the Ocular Vision Simulators.
Other practical training facilities include engineering laboratories and workshops equipped with ship engine parts, marine tools and appliances.
The Academy also has four survival pools and a Free-Fall Lifeboat with a launching davit, recently installed by the Acting Rector. Its jetty, which opens to the waterfront, is equipped with two survival capsules that are usually launched during training, and a modern library with an e-library, among others.
As regards Industry Collaborations and Partnerships, the spokesperson disclosed that the Academy ensures cadets are well-versed in current trends in the industry, emphasising that the school is actively pursuing quality improvement and partnerships for sea-time placement through industry collaboration with professional bodies like the Institute of Marine Engineering and Technology (IMarEST), the Nautical Institute, UK and Chartered Institute of Transport and Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA), among others.
On Enabling Learning Environment, Umoekpe said that MAN has created an environment where students’ success, development, and career opportunities thrive, adding that there are conducive hostels and medical facilities for cadets, students and staff.
She noted that the Academy provides leadership and training for other maritime training institutions, including training instructors from other MTIs on IMO Model Course 6.09.
The spokesperson further affirmed that the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, from time to time brings its students to the Academy for Mandatory Short Course Training.
Speaking on Competent Instructors, Umoekpe revealed that the Academy, through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, under the visionary leadership of Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, has been able to attract and retain industry experts as instructors.
She mentioned that the quality of training that the Academy offers have attracted foreign students. While acknowledging that Nigeria’s blue economy is expanding, she however, pointed out that without skilled manpower, the tide won’t be able to lift all ships.
“The Maritime Academy of Nigeria is committed to delivering its core mandate. We’re not just training maritime professionals, we are charting Nigeria’s course to global relevance which is the focus of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu,” she further stated.
