MAN is a national strategic asset preparing competent cadets for Nigeria and the world – Rector
By Gboyega Oni
The Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Kevin Okonna, has described MAN as a national strategic asset preparing competent cadets and seafarers for Nigeria and the global world in line with International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended.
Dr. Kevin Okonna also said the academy is also combining maritime education, practical training, simulation and industry engagement to achieve this while positioning the academy for Nigeria’s maritime and blue-economy ambitions.
Dr. Kevin Okonna said this while presenting a paper on “Why MAN matters to Nigeria’s maritime future?” at the recent Annual General Meeting of the League of Maritime Editors in Lagos.
“We are no longer training for yesterday’s maritime industry; we are deliberately preparing our cadets and seafarers for the ships, technologies and challenges of tomorrow,” the rector said.
Okonna said the selection of the academy as a beneficiary of the Integrated Educational Pilot for Green and Digital Shipping in Sub-Saharan Africa under the Future-Ready Shipping Project in Africa is a strategic opportunity to strengthen green and digital maritime education, deepening research, innovation, international partnerships and future-focused training.
He informed that the academy has modern maritime training facilities, including Multifunctional Classroom Simulator, full Mission Bridge Simulator, full Mission Engine Room Simulator, Ocular Vision Simulator, Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) Simulator, Smart classrooms, e-library, workshops, laboratories and survival-training facilities
He said the academy boasts of high quality culture in the Integrated Management System certification: ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System, ISO 21001:2025 – Educational Organizations Management System and 75 staff trained to System Auditor and Lead Auditor levels.
According to him, “Certification is not a certificate on the wall; it is a commitment to quality in every process.”
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He added that there is a new strategy of imparting knowledge: from classroom to ship as the mandatory sea-time remains critical to producing competent seafarers, MoA with NLNG Shipping Management and Marine Services Limited, 43 MAN cadets are currently undergoing sea-time training onboard NLNG vessels and bridging classroom knowledge with real shipboard experience.
To further strengthening training experience, Okonna informed that the academy has sustainable and enduring industry and regional partnerships with Port State Control Officers Course – Abuja MoU on Port State Control for West and Central Africa / IMO Model Course 3.09. Professional registration and capacity building – CILT Nigeria. Study-tour engagement with Liberia Maritime Authority and Liberia Maritime Training Institute. Expanding collaboration in cadet training, lecturer exchange and maritime education.
On the MAN Techniques of Training for tomorrow’s ships, the rector said the ND and HND curricula reviewed for stronger STCW Convention, 1978, as amended alignment, with greater emphasis on competence, employability and operational readiness. Responding to digitalization, automation, alternative fuels, decarbonization and emerging technologies.
In the area of human capacity development, he said the MAN got approval of the Staff Conditions of Service by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, development of a Five-Year Strategic Development Plan, capacity building for academic and non-academic staff and recruitment of experienced Master Mariners, Chief Engineers and other maritime professionals.
He pointed out that 11,778 professionals have been trained from 2024 till date as 401 cadets successfully completed regular cadet programmes while 48 mandatory short courses, CoC preparatory classes and regular cadet programmes, including simulator-based courses.
In the area of infrastructure renewal, the rector said the academy now has a Survival Training Pool Complex, Cadet and short-course students’ hostels, office blocks and other essential facilities and free-fall lifeboat and launching davit installed at the Survival Training Pool.
On the road ahead, MAN is modernizing training and simulation capabilities, expanding meaningful sea-time opportunities, deepening partnerships with shipowners, regulators and international organizations, strengthening research, innovation and knowledge development, keeping curricula responsive to global maritime developments and investing continuously in people/staff.
Okonna, who commended the maritime editors over their contributions to the development and advancement of the maritime sector, said “The transformation of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria is not simply about new buildings, new equipment or new certificates. It is about building a new generation of maritime professionals—competent, disciplined, innovative and globally competitive.
“The Maritime Academy of Nigeria is stronger. The Academy is more focused on quality. The Academy is increasingly connected to industry and the international maritime community. The Academy is ready for the next level. MAN is ready—not only to respond to the future of shipping, but to help shape it.”
