The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, has demonstrated uncommon resolve, intent and commitment to repositioning the Institution as a competitive, preferred Maritime Training Institution, MTI, within and beyond the African continent.

The Acting Rector of the Academy, Dr. Kevin Okonna, with his innate understanding of Maritime Education has, within a year of his leadership role at MAN, reactivated the growth trajectory as projected by the Federal Government and implemented by former and immediate leadership teams of the Academy.

Maritime stakeholders have thumbs up Dr. Okonna and his team for their passion, consistency, vision and sacrifices being made for the growth of the institution.

The Liberian Connection

News from the Academy as confirmed by the Head/Spokesperson of the Academy, Domo Umoekpe, hinted that plans for strategic partnership between  MAN and the Liberia Maritime Training Institute (LMTI), on one hand and  the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), on the other have reached advanced stages.

Aimed at promoting maritime education, professional training, and human capacity development across the West and Central African region, the Nigeria/Liberia Training Institutions intend to establish a lecturer exchange programme on Maritime Education and Training (MET) resource sharing; peer review of MET Curriculla in areas of expertise.

Promotion of courses offered by both institutions on each partners’ communication platforms including their Websites; Training of Liberian Youths at the Academy; Placement of MAN Cadets Onboard Liberian flagged Vessels for Sea-time Training and Training of Liberian Port State Control Officers at the Academy in collaboration with the Abuja MoU on Port State Control are other areas of the partnership being worked on by both institutions.

Chairman, Governing Council of MAN, Engr. Kehinde Olayinka Akinola, told Maritime Nigeria that the recent visit to Liberia by top officials of the Academy MAN  was part of  ongoing efforts by the Federal Government  to strengthen regional maritime cooperation, institutional capacity, enhance global best practices and position Nigeria as a hub of maritime operations in the sub-region.

According to  Akinola “Our visit to Liberia underscores the Federal Government  commitment to advancing maritime education and international best practices in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda for the Marine and Blue Economy sector”

“The proposed agreement will strengthen sub-regional cooperation and fast-track collective growth within the blue economy sector” Engr. Akinola said.

The Board Chairman expressed satisfaction with LiMA’s well-structured maritime administration system, strong adherence to global maritime conventions, and commitment to competitiveness within the international maritime community.

Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Dr. Kevin Okonna reaffirmed the Academy’s dedication to continually develop highly skilled and competent seafarers capable of competing with their counterparts around the globe.

Dr. Kevin Okonna making a presentation to the Liberian maritime Administration team

Okonna explained  that the Academy’s retinue of competent workforce, state-of-the-art training facilities and enhanced curriculla have positioned the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron, as one of the best maritime education and training institutions in the world, aligning the Academy’s remarkable strides with the visionary policy direction of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, HE Adegboyega Oyetola, CON.

He expressed hope that the partnership with Liberia will open new pathways for knowledge exchange, institutional collaboration, and practical training that will benefit cadets, instructors, and maritime operators across the sub-region.

His words “We acknowledge and recognise Liberia for its significant stance in the global maritime community, particularly as a nation with the world’s largest merchant ship fleet/tonnage and as a Category A Member of the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)”

“This partnership reflects our shared vision to build a new generation of highly skilled and globally competitive seafarers through collaboration, innovation, and capacity development. It would enable both institutions to leverage each other’s strong points to enhance the quality of MET and capacity building for lecturers and cadets,” Okonna said

The Deputy Commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority, Mr. John F. Harvey in welcoming the Academy’s delegation, was ecstatic that the partnership between the two countries was a welcomed development which will serve as a model for other regional collaborations.

Harvey expressed his country’s unwavering commitment to maritime development and described the proposed collaboration between MAN, Oron, LMTI, and LiMA as a major step towards strengthening regional maritime cooperation.

“Let me reaffirm our unwavering commitment to mutually beneficial partnerships that would enhance maritime education and training excellence and professional development of our Cadets,” he said.

Other officials of the Liberian Maritime Authority  expressed profound admiration for a well articulated and insightful presentation by the Academy’s delegation, noting that the presentation showcased the Academy’s institutional capacity, strategic direction and commitment to excellence.

The partnership initiative is expected to chart new pathways for strategic collaboration to foster innovation, maintain maritime training excellence, deepen capacity-building initiatives, strengthen research partnerships and promote cross-border knowledge/culture transfer.

The Nigerian delegation  undertook a guided tour of the top-notched marine engineering training facilities of the Liberia Maritime Training Institute (LMTI) with a beautiful parade display by  Cadets of the LMTI.

The Academy’s delegation consisted of the Chairman, Governing Council, Engr. Kehinde Akinola; Acting Rector, Dr. Kevin Okonna as well as Council Members: Hon. Faisal Halidu, Hon. Samuel Isichei, Mrs. Hussaina Inja and Hon. Shegu Maigari.

Members of the Academy’s Management who were part of discussion are the Director, Research and Strategic Development, Dr. John Adeyanju; Ag. Registrar, Mr. P. M. Netson and Ag. Bursar, Mr. Anthony Ambi.

The Secretary General, Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central Africa and a partner of the Academy for PSCO Course, Capt. Sunday Umoren; Senior Assistant Registrar-Rectorate, Mr. Ime Morgan; Senior Lecturer-Marine Engineering, Mr. Hope Inyang and Academy’s Image Manager, Domo Umoekpe, participated in the Study Tour.

We are told that the Study Tour was facilitated by Marshall Shield, represented by Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa and Mr. Steve Ujah.

Unlike several agencies which sign MoUs, enter into partnerships and collaborations with very little or nothing to show, MAN’s recent partnerships have shown the benefits of partnering and collaborating for national good. It is our expectation that this Liberian connection shall yield great to the Academy and by extension Nigeria.