$1trillion Economy: Academy, NLNG Leads With Sea Time For Cadets, Lift Families Out of Poverty

As NSML, others Provide Sea Time, Employment to Cadets

 

As institutions and agencies key into and push for the achievement of the Federal Government’s ambitious $1 trillion Economy target by 2030, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron, could be described as a flag bearer as the Institution transmutes from producing competent maritime professionals for Nigeria’s Blue Economy aspirations.

 

In the last two years, under the leadership of Dr. Kevin Okonna as Acting Rector, MAN has secured Sea Time for its graduating Cadets in hundreds as the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company Ltd, NLNG and its subsidiary, the NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Ltd, NSML, grab Cadets of the Academy into its fleet of modern vessels for Sea Time Experience, Certification and  employment.

 

Out of the 314 Cadets who graduated from the Academy-260 National Diploma (ND) and 54 Higher National Diploma (HND), the NLNG group has taken another 51 Cadets for further training on board its vessels.

“The economic impact and multiplier effect of the gesture by Nigerian shipping companies in offering Sea time to graduating Cadets goes a long way in lifting thousands of families out of poverty and clearly heralds attainment of the $1 trillion dollar economy vision by the Federal Government” a maritime stakeholder told Maritime Nigeria.

Speaking during the 2026 Passing Out Parade, POP, of the School, Managing Director of NSML Abdulkadir Ahmed, was direct and straight to the point.

 

“At NSML, we firmly believe that the strength of the maritime industry rests on the competence, professionalism, and preparedness of its people. This belief underpins our commitment to capacity building and competency development through structured training, professional development, and initiatives that prepare Nigerian maritime professionals to meet international standards”

“Our partnership with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, including the training collaboration facilitated through our Maritime Centre of Excellence, reflects this commitment. We recognize that developing a sustainable maritime workforce requires strong collaboration between training institutions and industry operators, ensuring that the knowledge acquired in the classroom is complemented by the practical skills, discipline, and safety consciousness demanded in real-world operations”

Ahmed commended the Academy for its adherence to international standards and commitment to upholding best practices in its training modules”.

“To the management and faculty of the Academy, we commend your continued dedication to maritime education and the development of the next generation of professionals. NSML remains committed to working with institutions such as yours to strengthen local expertise, develop globally competitive maritime talent, and support the long-term sustainability of our industry”.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, reechoed the Federal Government resolve when she told guests at the 2026 POP that the President Tinubu led government is unwavering in harnessing Nigeria’s blue economy potentials.

 

“Let me express my profound appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his continued support for the marine and blue economy sector. Under his Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Government has introduced significant reforms, including the adoption of Nigeria’s first National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, which provides a strategic framework for unlocking the sector’s economic potential, creating employment and developing the skilled workforce required for its growth”.

Mrs. Mahmood,    told stakeholders at the POP that  the Federal Government’s, ultimate objective of maritime education is not simply to produce graduates, but to develop competent professionals who can find meaningful employment, compete internationally and contribute to the growth of our marine and blue economy.

“The Maritime Academy of Nigeria has a distinctive responsibility in achieving this objective. Its success must be measured not only by the number of cadets graduating, but by how effectively they transition into professional certification, onboard employment and productive careers in the maritime industry, the Permanent Secretary said.

 

Narrating the milestones recorded by the Academy under his leadership, Dr. Okonna was categorical “Since the last time we gathered here in November 2025 for the 2025 cadets graduation ceremony with numerous automatic employments from employers for the graduating cadets, over 50 cadets have been successfully placed onboard internationally trading ships, including the 43 cadets on the very modern and sophisticated NLNG ships, for their one-year mandatory sea service through the great partnership between the Academy and the NSML, the Ship owners Association of Nigeria, SOAN, Starzs Investments Ltd, Sea Transport Nigeria Ltd; Arion Nigeria Ltd, the Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO) and many others; the reports from the ships on the cadets’ performance have been impressive”

 

Apart from the International certifications in line with ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management System and ISO 21001:2025 for Educational Organizations Management System (EOMS) which the Academy earned from the Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON, earlier in the year, Dr. Okonna disclosed that with support from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, the Academy won a competitive Expression of Interest (EOI) to partner with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the World Maritime University (WMU) as the focal institution for the Future Ready Shipping (FRS) in Africa Project Support for integrated Pilot for green and digital shipping in sub-Saharan Africa.

With sustained partnerships with local and international partners Dr. Okonna was very serious when he charged his Cadets to go into the world and make Nigeria proud:

“We have equipped you with qualitative education and training that accords with up-to-date technology, we have prepared you with physical and mental toughness and core moral values. You have been tested by early morning drills, regimental parade and demanding practical exercises. You did not just survive; you excelled”

“As you leave this Academy into a highly dynamic and demanding global industry, my charge to you is simple: Do not ever misrepresent this Academy. Keep our flag flying high and chart an honourable course for your lives”

“Remember that a true mariner and maritime professional is defined not just by their technical competence, but by their absolute integrity and character”.

“Go out there, command the oceans and make us proud” Dr. Kevin Okonna commanded.