BY SUNNY EDEMENANG – SOUTH-SOUTH
The Inaugural Exchange visit of Maritime Education and Training Institutions (METIs) under the auspices of Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) Member States, ended in Nigeria at the main auditorium of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom State, recently.
The five-day exchange visit from Monday, May 4 to Friday, May 8, 2026 saw participants, including the representatives of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as well as Maritime Education and Training Institutions (METIs) within the subregion and other key maritime stakeholders.
The eight points Communiqué issued at the end of the exchange visit outlined the framework for collaboration amongst METIs – the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Regional Maritime University (RMU) Accra, Ghana and Académie Régionale des Sciences et Techniques de la Mer (ARSTM) Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire., who all resolved to sign MoU after the Third Exchange Visit to establish a unified framework of strategic partnership and cooperation in some areas:
In line with Article 8 of the Revised African Maritime Transport Charter, 2010,
participating METIs resolved to accelerate the harmonization of their training curricula to reflect current updates in line with required standards.
They called on MOWCA to facilitate a tripartite committee with membership from each METI to coordinate the process that will pave the way for the mutual recognition of certificates -Certificate of Competency (CoC) and Certificate of Proficiency (CoP)
and the global competitiveness of seafarers from the subregion, in line with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978 as amended for ease of employment of seafarers.
The Communique resolved that MOWCA shall facilitate the establishment of a tripartite committee with membership from each METI at the end of the exchange visit to coordinate student and faculty exchange programmes, sabbaticals, and capacity building programmes amongst the METIs.
The Shared Use of Sea-Time Berths and Training Vessels
was identified in the face of the major challenge in dearth of sea-time berths for cadets in the sub-region.
MOWCA was appreciated for the initiative to collaborate with international shipping lines to provide sea-time berths for cadets across the subregion and encourage the Organization to pursue more of such opportunities.
The need for the establishment of a regional trading and training ship was also advocated.
Others points raised were; Shared Use of Training Facilities was resolved to Cover Library Resources, Workshops and Simulators
Joint Research Initiatives, Funding for Research and Capacity Building and Promotion of Bilingual Proficiency by integrating at least English and French Languages training into their curricula for effective communication, mutual recognition, and international employability of seafarers.
The Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Dr Kevin Okonna in his closing remarks thanked Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, for approval and support, the Secretary General of MOWCA, Dr Paul Adalikwu and expressed optimism that the future of maritime education and training will be driven by synergy and unity of purpose, describing the visit as a fusion of ideas and a powerful reaffirmation of shared commitment to maritime education and training excellence in the West and Central Africa.
“The visit aims at forging a partnership amongst the Maritime Administrations of States in the sub-region for the purpose of recognition of certificates in line with the provisions of the International Convention on Standard of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers (1978 STCW Convention) as amended”.
“This inaugural visit marks of more collaborations, stronger partnerships and sustained progress”, the Ag. Rector noted.
The Secretary General of MOWCA, Dr Paul Adalikwu, in his vote of thanks described the 5 days Workshop as a remarkable success and appreciated Minister of Marine and Blue Economy for granting MAN the approval to host the 4-5 days event.
He applauded the Ag. Rector, Dr Kevin Okonna for being a wonderful host and others whose expertise and dedication had provided valuable back rest for enhanced academic cooperation exchange programmes, research collaboration, digital innovation and capacity building for the maritime workforce.
“The success of this works shop should not end with our discussions here. rather it’s should serve as a catalyst for sustained corporation and concrete implementation of the recommendation and actions point that have emerged from this engagement. Together we can position our METIs to meet global standards and respond effectively to the evolving demands of the blue economy, maritime security decarbonization and technological advancement”, the Secretary General appealed.
High point of the visit was the signing of the Communique and presentation of certificates of attendance.
