“The Maritime Academy of Nigeria is a national institution, everything we have done is informed by the need to build capacity for Maritime, Oil and Gas professionals including those desirous of personal development and growth in their careers”

Commodore Duja Effedua (rtd), Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria.

With those words, the Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Cdre Duja Effedua (rtd), reiterates that the Simulators and other sophisticated training equipment installed by management of the Academy are open and accessible by schools and institutions, private or public for training purposes.

In an impromptu chat with our correspondent, Christopher Eyo, at the Uyo airport, the Rector said the cost of the kind of equipment available at the Academy is so high that only very few Academies have them in the world.

“The Simulators we have are not the generic type that have become obsolete and unserviceable, which some schools still have. We are committed to national development through quality training and certification of our Cadets and other professionals for the good of the country”

“We are therefore inviting public and private institutions in the Maritime, Oil and Gas, Aviation and allied institutions to take advantage of the equipment available at MAN for their training at minimal cost”

“Our focus is not profit. We are very concerned about having a new breed of well trained, disciplined manpower for the maritime  industry for higher efficiency and optimal output” the Rector said.

Already, we gathered that after discussions and as part of inter-agency collaboration, Cadets of the Nigerian Maritime University, (Okerenkoko, Delta State), have been exposed to training equipment at MAN as part of training and capacity building for the MUN Cadets.

MUN Cadets on a Training Prog at MAN

We are also very reliable informed that Ibom Air cabin crew have been trained at the Academy on ditching, preparation and response using equipment and facilities of MAN.

Ibom Air Staff on Safety drill and ditching exercise at the Academy

Speaking on these developments the Rector said “We are not in competition. I have said it repeatedly that the Academy is focused on national development”

“Anywhere you go, I doubt if you can find better training equipment and the cost is exorbitant, we are talking about training courses and programs that cost from $2,000 upwards”

The Multi Functional Classroom Simulator

“We are crashing our rates to accommodate everyone who desires quality training so that cost is no longer an excuse”

“I have said it before and I will say it again that anyone going outside Nigeria for any kind of training is just wasting his time and funds.  With the kind of training equipment we have at the Academy, you cannot get better training anywhere”

Engine Room Simulator at MAN

Asked if there are discounts for individuals and institutions, the Rector responded thus “I told you we have crashed our rates and you’re still talking of discount, don’t you want the equipment to be maintained and sustained”?

Swimming Pool

Laughing but firm, the Rector wished us well as he rushed to catch his flight.

Fire Drill

As stakeholders extol management of the Academy for the turn around witnessed in Academy in recent years, sustainability of the level attained remains an issue of great concern to Maritime technocrats.