RENEWED HOPE: MAN DRIVING CHANGE ACROSS BORDERS

Through Partnerships, Collaborations, Good Governance and Strong Leadership

 

The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, has in recent years reinvented and repositioned itself as a leading and preferred Maritime Education and Training Institution, METI, in the West and East Central African sub regions.

 

From humble beginnings in 1977 amidst political, administrative issues and challenges, the Academy has, by dint of hard work by men who believed, paid the price and stayed consistent, MAN has evolved into a world acclaimed institution akin to the rejected corner stone becoming head of the corner, anchor, oasis and a much sought after bride by Maritime professionals within and outside Nigeria.

During difficult moments of the Academy, many lecturers, Cadets and various categories of employees left the Academy-they gave up and went after after juicier offers.

If those that left cannot be blamed; those who stayed in dusty, airless, decrepit, offices using rusty chairs and broken tables deserve commendation if not compensation for their sacrifices, commitment, belief, hope and faith in the Institution.

Staying behind could not have been easy for Dr. Okonna but the privilege of working closely with all previous Rectors of the Academy including maritime professionals such as Chief Adebayo Sarumi, Engr Greg Ogbeifun, late Captain Isa Biu,  late Engr. Olu Akinsoji, Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua (rtd), and many other professionals with diverse experiences, Dr. Kevin Okonna being part of the  IMC team that crafted the roadmap for the repositioning of the Academy,  has a deep knowledge of MAN.

From classrooms to board rooms, from ministerial committees to international conferences, Okonna has participated, served diligently, quietly and faithfully.

Nothing is lost when men leave one position for another with openness and transparency. At MAN, governance and continuity in leadership has never been so seamless, result oriented and tranformative.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Under the Okonna led management, the Academy has made inroads and activated cords that bind institutions in accordance with national aspirations-across borders.

Sea time debacle demystification

Within a few months of Okonna taking over as acting Rector, hundreds of sea time berths have been secured by the Academy for its Cadets as the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, SOAN, apart from employing top graduating Cadets of MAN, also provided sea time and scholarships to high flying graduates of the Institution at its 2025 Passing out Parade, POP.

 

The NSML Breakthrough

Under Dr. Okonna, discussions with the NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Ltd, NSML, has been reactivated and the company has provided sea time berths for Cadets of the Academy on board it’s vessels.

Speaking on the development the acting Rector said “Today is one of my happiest days as the Acting Rector and CEO of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, it is the day that the Academy and the NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML) have, through the execution of the MoU signed on 19th December, 2025, re-established the special relationship that has existed between both organizations over the years and leading to the supply of excellent seafaring officers and ratings for global shipping”

 

“Our partnership has again ensured the realization of the dreams of another set of 30 seafaring cadets from the Academy through onboard training opportunities in line with the provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended.

This is in addition to the 13 MAN, Oron cadets earlier inducted for onboard training by the NSML on  December, 19, 2025. The hope and motivation that these events have generated amongst seafaring cadets in the Academy cannot be underestimated”

 

The MAN/MOWCA Partnership

 Taking the Academy to another level among Maritime Education and Training Institutions, METIs, in Africa, the Academy, in collaboration with the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA),   recently hosted  regional heads of Maritime Education and Training Institutions from the Académie Régionale des Sciences et Techniques de la Mer (ARSTM), Côte d’Ivoire and the Regional Maritime University (RMU), Ghana.

Under the theme “Advancing Maritime Education and Training Across West and Central Africa” Dr. Kevin Okonna, described the meeting as a first-of-its-kind platform linking maritime training institutions under MOWCA for professional efficiency.

“This conference and deliberation aligns with the strategic development plans of the President Tinubu’s led government for Nigerians through the Marine and Blue Economy to develop foreign partnerships and collaborations” Okonna said during the conference held at MAN campus, Oron-Nigeria.

 

Secretary General of (MOWCA), Dr. Paul Adalikwu was unambiguous when he said “The maritime sector remains the backbone of our regional economies. Over 90% of our trade is carried by sea.  Our capacity to fully harness the benefits of this vast domain depends largely on the quality of human capital we develop. It is in this regard that your institutions play a pivotal role” Adalikwu told delegates during the regional meeting at the Academy.

 

Clearly and undoubtedly, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, is flying Nigeria’s flag with pride through Partnerships, Collaborations, Good Governance and Strong Leadership as it drives and promotes the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; articulated and cascaded by the minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, to agencies under his ministry.