Sunny Edemenang – Uyo
The remarkable administrative strides of the Acting Rector, Dr Kevin Okonna in the Maritime Academy of Nigeria MAN, Oron has earned commendations of the International Maritime Organisation IMO, and Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.
The Secretary General of the IMO, HE Arsenio Dominguez and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, made the joint commendations of the Acting Rector, for the remarkable progress being recorded in the Academy.
The commendations followed the Acting Rector’s presentation on the achievements/challenges of the Maritime Academy since December 2017 to the Technical Advisory Mission of the International Maritime Organization, recently.
The Acting Rector was lauded for his ingenuity, innovation, and commitment in repositioning the Academy as a centre of excellence in maritime education and training, noting that the institution has witnessed tremendous improvement in infrastructure, training standards, and administrative efficiency.
As remarked by the minister, “the transformation taking place here is impressive and reflects the renewed drive to align maritime education with the goals of the Blue Economy. The Academy’s visible infrastructural renewal, enhanced academic standards, and the possession of cutting-edge training facilities have further strengthened Nigeria’s capacity to produce world-class seafarers and maritime professionals”.
The IMO Scribe expressed satisfaction over the training facilities at the Academy and praised the Acting Rector, Dr Kevin Okonna for working towards the Academy’s adherence to global maritime standards, particularly, its efforts in producing competent technology-driven maritime professionals capable of driving Nigeria’s participation in the Blue Economy.
In an inspiring interaction with twenty Cadets of the Academy, the IMO boss acknowledged the Academy’s immense growth since 2017 till 2025.
He gave valuable insights into the IMO’s current focus areas in global maritime strategies and the future of seafaring in a rapidly evolving industry on how cadets can align their training with international best practices.
He urged the young seafarers to actively support the transition to sustainable shipping by implementing eco-friendly practices and applying the knowledge gained from maritime training institutions.
From the Chief Cadet Captain, Cadet Ibezimako Anthony Udoka, on behalf of other cadets, acknowledged the future of maritime operations depends on professionals embracing greener practices and contributing to decarbonization efforts of the IMO”.
Cadet Udoka acknowledged IMO Secretary General’s advice reminding them of humility, integrity, and continuous learning as qualities that truly define a successful seafarer.
He thanked the Acting Rector, Dr. Kevin Okonna for the exposure, and the kind of development cadets are enjoying in the Academy. “Our hostels are very comfortable with twenty-four hours power supply, smart classrooms, conducive learning environment, and top-notched training facilities. We are very grateful,” he added.
The Acting Rector in his presentation, appreciation the IMO for their technical assistance towards the development of the Academy since establishment and its contributions to global shipping development, particularly its international convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention), 1978, as amended and the IMO Model Courses”.
The presentation centered on the outcomes and remarkable achievements following the compliance with IMO’s December 2017 Technical Advisory Mission key nonconformities observed to restructure and reposition the institution for global competitiveness with the aim of enhancing the Academy’s training capacity.
Dr. Okonna disclosed that the reforms in the Academy are also in tandem with the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at unlocking the vast potential of Nigeria’s Blue Economy and positioning the country as a regional maritime powerhouse
The areas of upgrade, according to the Acting Rector, include: the installation of state-of-the-art simulators for hands-on training; a fully equipped Marine Engineering Workshop with functional marine engines and other equipment; a Marine Exhibition Hall showcasing real ship components and other equipment; a Survival Pool Complex with covered pools for different trainings including HUET facilities; a Jetty head with full complement of facilities for PSCRB training, and a functional free-fall lifeboat with Davit.
Going further, he noted that “the Academy currently trains and graduates about 200 Cadets yearly, with three quarter of the cadets being in the seafaring professions and all being registered with at least one professional body, including; the Nautical Institute, UK, IMAREST, UK and CILT Nigeria while still in school”.
“The Academy also trains more than four thousand (4,000) participants yearly in the available forty-eight (48) accredited mandatory short courses and specialized seafarers training programmes, comprising more than seven hundred (700) participants annually in the Preparatory Classes for Certificates of Competency (COC) examinations leading to issuance of seafarers’ COC by NIMASA,” he stated.
Further reiterations were on the Academy’s focus on excellence, infrastructural upgrade, and improved training standards with commitment to sustaining the tempo through innovation, transparency, and strategic partnerships with industry stakeholders.
