The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, located in Akwa Ibom, state of Nigeria, has been described as a very pivotal Training Institution which must be maintained and sustained if Nigeria is to fully harness her Blue Economy potentials.

The Senators and Management Staff of the Academy.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun, made this declaration during an oversight visit to the Academy alongside members of his Committee, Monday, when addressing management, staff  and Cadets of the Academy.

“It is both an honour and a privilege to stand before you today as part of our oversight visit to this vital institution-a corner stone in the development of Nigeria’s maritime capacity and future leadership”

“Allow me to specially acknowledge and appreciate the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration has demonstrated strong political will and financial commitment towards transforming maritime institutions. Through targeted investments and policy reforms, we are beginning to witness a new dawn in maritime safety, education and industry growth” he said.

The Senators during inspection of facilities at the Academy

Senator Eshinlokun, charged the Academic staff and Cadets to be focused and disciplined in their teaching and learning responsibilities.

His words “To the academic staff, I urge you to continue nurturing the next generation of maritime professionals with dedication and integrity. Your role in shaping cadets to be competent and globally competitive cannot be overstated”

“To our proud cadets, Nigeria is counting on you. You are the future captains, engineers, surveyors, and regulators of our seas. Stay committed, stay focused, and embrace the values of discipline, patriotism, and innovation. The work being done here is equipping you not only to serve Nigeria but to stand tall on the global maritime stage”

Assuring the school of Legislative support and backing for enhanced training for maritime professionals and aspiring seafarers, Senator Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun said “On our part at the National Assembly, we will continue to provide the legislative support needed to ensure that MAN receives adequate funding, policy attention and global recognition”

After a duty tour of the Academy’s Training Simulator, other facilities such as classrooms, hostels, jetty, Ship yard (under construction) and engineering workshops, the senators were unanimous in endorsing and applauding efforts of the Acting Rector, Dr. Kevin Okonna, and his team.

The Senators at the Full Mission Engine Room Simulator of the Academy

“Today’s inspection of your completed and ongoing projects has been nothing short of remarkable. From the state-of-the-art training simulators to the digital classrooms, cadets’ hostels, jetty, boat maintenance yard and workshops, it is evident that the Maritime Academy of Nigeria is not only growing in infrastructure, but  also evolving in excellence”

“I commend the Acting Rector, Dr. Kevin Okonna, management, staff and students of this Academy for your unwavering commitment to raising the standards of maritime education and professional discipline. What I have seen here today gives me renewed hope in the future of our maritime sector and affirms the Academy’s strategic role in positioning Nigeria as a maritime hub within Africa and beyond” the Chairman Senator Committee on marine transport said emphatically.

Maritime experts are in agreement with members of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport on the criticality of the role of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Manpower development for Nigeria’s maritime Industry and the Oil and Gas Sector even as the acting Rector described the visit by the Senate Committee, (after almost a decade) as a welcomed development for the Academy.