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

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.

 

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.

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.

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

https://maritimenig.com/2025/07/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.

https://maritimenig.com/2025/07/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.