Maritime Nigeria

Main Menu

  • Home
  • News
  • Interviews
  • Maritime Info
  • Photo Gallery
  • Fact
  • Profiles

logo

Header Banner

Maritime Nigeria

  • Home
  • News
    • IMO Secretary General Visits Nigeria, Dazed By Facilities

      Oct 2, 2025
      0
    • Nigeria's Blue Economy Minister Bemoans Maritime Financing Deficit

      Sep 27, 2025
      0
    • NIMASA Calls For Urgent Action To Reduce Maritime Funding Gaps

      Sep 27, 2025
      0
    • WMD 2025: "We Are Beneficiaries of The Oceans"-Dantsoho

      Sep 27, 2025
      0
    • WMD 2025: "We Are Proud"

      Sep 26, 2025
      0
    • Nigerian Shippers Celebrate Seafarers, Commits to Efficient Regulation

      Sep 26, 2025
      0
    • "Nigerian Ports Automated, Globally Competitive and Ready"-Dantsoho

      Sep 24, 2025
      0
    • Nigeria Joins Maritime Nations For World Maritime Day

      Sep 23, 2025
      0
    • Revenue/Trade: Oshoba Reconnects The Pipes, Link Cables

      Sep 23, 2025
      0
  • Interviews
    • Nigeria Takes Leadership Of MOWCA

      Nov 18, 2021
      0
    • APM Participates in UK Trade Expo

      Oct 31, 2021
      0
    • Reps Seek Admission at MAN

      Dec 7, 2020
      0
    • NIMASA URGE SHIP OWNERS TO RENEW CABOTAGE LICENSES

      Oct 5, 2020
      0
    • FG Sacks Aboloma As NAIC Gets New EDs

      Aug 28, 2020
      0
    • Britain Celebrate Nigerian In Covid Efforts

      Jul 26, 2020
      0
    • Zuckerberg Backs Trump Against Twitter

      May 28, 2020
      0
    • NAFDAC DG Sheds Light On Chloroquine, Herbals, Masks and Covid19

      May 12, 2020
      0
    • Reps Threaten MDAs

      Feb 24, 2020
      0
  • Maritime Info
    • 2023 POP: Minister Task Cadets On Blue Economy

      Dec 15, 2023
      0
    • Rector, Trainees Excited, Laud FG On Modern Academy

      Jan 26, 2023
      0
    • Buhari Redeploys Minister As NPA, NIMASA, MAN, Others Get New Boards

      Apr 7, 2022
      0
    • World Bank Endorse Nigerian Ports, Partners Navy On Capacity Building

      Mar 19, 2022
      0
    • NIMASA Commend Nigerian Navy, Reassures On Floating Dock

      Feb 9, 2022
      0
    • MAN Unveils Lighthouse For Training of Cadets

      Jan 27, 2022
      0
    • shipping

      Singapore Strait Dangerous To Shipping-ReCAAP

      Jan 24, 2022
      0
    • Lekki Deep Sea Port Will Increase Port Efficiency-Amaechi

      Jan 24, 2022
      0
    • Fair Competition: NSC Partners FCCPC For Effectiveness

      Jan 21, 2022
      0
  • Photo Gallery
    • SERAP Calls for Probe of Entire Privatization Processes 1999-2011

      Dec 4, 2017
      0
    • IMO Election: South Africa, Kenya, Liberia, Morroco and Egypt Make Category C

      Dec 2, 2017
      0
    • Maersk Ship on Fire as Coy Launches Six Container Lifting Tech

      Nov 2, 2016
      0
    • Captured Seafarers Languish In Captivity without Ransom

      Nov 1, 2016
      0
    • Niger Delta: Militants Ask FG to Include Former Agitators in Negotiations

      Nov 1, 2016
      0
    • Self-Audit: NIMASA Set to Review 3% Freight Charge

      Nov 1, 2016
      0
    • Recession: Japanese Shipping Companies to Merge

      Oct 31, 2016
      0
    • NSC Partners ICS on Capacity Building

      Oct 31, 2016
      0
    • AGAIN, APAPA CUSTOMS SURPASS MONTHLY TARGET WITH N33B COLLECTION

      Oct 5, 2016
      0
  • Fact
    • Maritime Police Boss Celebrate Workers

      May 1, 2025
      0
    • “VIN Is A Trade Tool, Not Punitive”-Customs

      Mar 2, 2022
      0
    • Blackmailers, False Publishers and Their Agents: Court Clears Rector

      Feb 18, 2022
      0
    • MAN Unveils Lighthouse For Training of Cadets

      Jan 27, 2022
      0
    • "APM Terminals Is Beyond Moving Boxes Around"-Laursen

      Jan 24, 2022
      0
    • MWUN: Welfare, Safety Our Priority-Adeyanju

      Dec 27, 2021
      0
    • Reversing the Trend: Koko Breaks Record at NPA

      Dec 24, 2021
      0
    • Minister Demands More From MAN At Passing Out Parade

      Dec 20, 2021
      0
    • MARITIME NIGERIA TASK NIMASA ON MARITIME DEVELOPMENT

      Dec 15, 2021
      0
  • Profiles
    • CMA CGM Brings AI Onboard

      Jun 5, 2018
      0
    • Customs Notify 577 Officers of Retirement by Eguono Odjegba

      Jan 12, 2018
      0
    • Over 100 Persons Feared Dead in Mediterranean Ship Wreck

      Nov 3, 2016
      0
    • Ballast Water: Panama Signs Up

      Oct 24, 2016
      0
    • Ist Half Report: Customs generate N385.7bn revenue

      Aug 15, 2016
      0
    • Minister/MD Speeches at the Launch of NPA's CCCIS

      Jul 23, 2016
      0
    • Face off Imminent as Dakuku Warn IOCs to Sit Up or Stay ...

      Jul 22, 2016
      0
    • Hadiza, Welcome to NPA

      Jul 16, 2016
      0
    • Habib Abdullahi Sacked Again from NPA

      Jul 12, 2016
      0
  • IMO Secretary General Visits Nigeria, Dazed By Facilities

  • Nigeria’s Blue Economy Minister Bemoans Maritime Financing Deficit

  • NIMASA Calls For Urgent Action To Reduce Maritime Funding Gaps

  • WMD 2025: “We Are Beneficiaries of The Oceans”-Dantsoho

  • WMD 2025: “We Are Proud”

News
Home›News›Maritime Academy: A Very Critical National Asset-Dr. Okonna

Maritime Academy: A Very Critical National Asset-Dr. Okonna

By Editor
Jul 31, 2025
276
0
Share:

As MAN Trains 4, 595 Professionals, Restores Connection to National Grid, Begins Rewiring

The Acting Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron, Dr. Kevin Okonna, has again emphasized the critical role of the Institution to capacity building/Man power development for the Nigerian maritime industry oil and Gas/allied industries.

Senator Wasiu Sanni Eshilokun, Chairman. Senate Committee on Marine Transport and the Acting Rector, Dr. Kevin Okonna during the visit

 

Speaking when he received members of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, led by its Chairman, Senator Wasiu Sanni Eshilokun, Dr. Okonna was emphatic that the visit by members of the National Assembly, after several  years, was a delight to management and staff of the Academy.

In a brief detailed history of the Academy, Dr. Okonna without reference to any prepared notes, extemporaneously explained how the Academy which was established as the Nautical College  in 1977, transited into the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in 1988 to enforce and implement provisions of the  International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping, STCW, for Seafarers-a very crucial international agreement that sets minimum standards for the training, certification, and watchkeeping for seafarers.

In this regard, the Acting Rector explained how the Academy pioneered and assisted the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company, NLNG, to pass its audit and accreditation for its training aspirations even as several Cadets of the Academy have and are still working on board NLNG Vessels-sailing regularly around the world-a further pointer to the criticality of the Academy in manpower development.

The IMO White List

Dr. Okonna also shed light on the crucial role of the Academy in getting Nigeria enlisted on the International Maritime Organization, IMO, White List-a list of countries that have assented and communicated to the IMO their preparedness to comply and efficiently implement provisions of the  STCW, 1978 as amended.

The Senators and Management Staff of the Academy.

This list, Dr. Okonna informed the Senators, is maintained by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee and it is under constant review, to remove countries if they fail to meet standards or renege in implementing provisions of the Convention.

“The objective is to ensure a consistently high level of competence and professionalism among seafarers, adhering strictly to maritime safety and the protection of the marine environment” the acting Rector explained.

See  https://maritimenig.com/2025/07/human-capacity-bedrock-of-maritime-development-dr-okonna

Training Equipment, Courses and Standards

“In the last few years, we trained a total of 4, 595 maritime professionals and industry stakeholders who came to the Academy to either upgrade themselves, improve their proficiency level or enhance their competencies in their area of specialization” Dr. Okonna said.

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

He listed training equipment owned by the Academy to include modern Simulators offering over twelve simulator based courses which have saved Nigeria  huge forex by reducing drastically, if not halting completely; Nigerians going abroad to get certifications and training now offered at the Academy at very reduced cost.

Challenges

Dr. Okonna told the Senators that attracting core Academic Professionals to teach at the Academy is a challenge for the schools as such professionals do not accept civil service salary structure.

“Many of such professional earn in foreign currencies. Getting and retaining them at the Academy is a big challenge here because many of the oil and Gas companies seek their service and are ready to pay them much more than we can afford, if the Senate could intervene in this area, the Academy’s services could be highly boosted” he said

“MAN A Pivotal Institution For The Blue Economy” Senator Eshinlokun

While expressing appreciation to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA for support in the area of funding and approvals and assistance in its trainings and programmes, the Acting Rector; like  the Proverbial Oliver Twist, did ask for more even as he pleaded with the NASS members for their Legislative support in the release of funds for the Academy to fast track its developmental needs.

Power

“For many years, the Academy was not connected to the national grid. I am pleased to inform you that we have restored connection. W have bought transformers and rewiring of the School is ongoing to correct and bring to improved functionality, the power needs of the School from available power sources such the National grid, Solar and generators” Dr. Okonna further explained.

“Human Capacity Bedrock of Maritime Development”-Dr. Okonna

The Senate Committee members, after a tour of facilities in the Academy could not hide their admiration! They exuded confidence and expressed their preparedness through supplementary budget provisions to ensure that the Academy achieve its statutory mandate for the country.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)

Related

Previous Article

“Efficient Sea Ports Crucial To Africa’s Economic ...

Next Article

CRFFN: “We Stand With The Council” NAGAFF ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • FeaturedNews

    NEC Orders Recovery of Unremitted Fund

    May 18, 2018
    By Editor
  • News

    Worlds Biggest Plane Launched

    Apr 14, 2019
    By Editor
  • News

    Hadiza: Media Abuzz As Former MD NPA is Sacked

    May 10, 2021
    By Editor
  • News

    Gbajabiamila, Govs and Others Visit Lagos

    Oct 26, 2020
    By Editor
  • News

    Conspiracy Theories Hinder Fight Against Coronavirus

    Feb 10, 2020
    By Editor
  • Customs OperationsNews

    Customs: “Our Work Goes Beyond Service”-CGC Wale Adeniyi

    Mar 23, 2025
    By Editor

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

  • News

    IMO Seek To Address Gender Imbalance In Maritime

  • News

    CRFFN: Nwabunike Applaud Oyetola On Appointment of Registrar

  • News

    CMA CGM Allays Fears Over CONVID19

Looking For Something?

Read From

  • Agriculture
  • Customs Operations
  • Fact
  • Featured
  • Interviews
  • Maritime Info
  • News
  • One Question
  • Photo Gallery
  • Profiles
  • sports

Just In

News

IMO Secretary General Visits Nigeria, Dazed By Facilities

As Academy Rector, Cadets Engage With Arsenio Dominguez The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Domínguez, who is on a working visit to Nigeria,  has lauded the ...
  • Nigeria’s Blue Economy Minister Bemoans Maritime Financing Deficit

    By Editor
    Sep 27, 2025
  • NIMASA Calls For Urgent Action To Reduce Maritime Funding Gaps

    By Editor
    Sep 27, 2025
  • WMD 2025: “We Are Beneficiaries of The Oceans”-Dantsoho

    By Editor
    Sep 27, 2025
  • WMD 2025: “We Are Proud”

    By Editor
    Sep 26, 2025
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
© 2013 Maritime Nigeria | All Rights Reserved