By Seun Ibiyemi
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has urged the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, to remain steadfast in producing globally competitive professionals for the maritime industry.
Oyetola, represented by the Deputy Director of Research, Planning and Statistics in the ministry, Mr Joshua Ayebameru, gave the charge during the academy’s third-quarter citizens’ and stakeholders’ engagement on Wednesday.
He emphasized that the academy must not compromise standards, noting that it has over the years trained qualified personnel who have kept Nigeria’s maritime industry vibrant and competitive.
“Through its programmes, training, and commitment to excellence, the academy continues to produce the manpower required to sustain the sector,” Oyetola said.
He added that the engagement was designed to encourage collaborations, training, and innovation to further advance Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
The minister stressed that seafarers, cadets, and maritime professionals must be adequately equipped to compete globally, calling on stakeholders to join forces in building a sustainable future for the sector.
In his remarks, Mr Kehinde Akinola, Chairman of MAN’s Governing Council, revealed that the council had developed a five-year strategic development plan for the academy, aimed at accelerating institutional reforms, enhancing training standards, and strengthening industry linkages.
He noted that the council was already partnering with shipowners and operators to secure practical training opportunities for cadets.
Also speaking, Acting Rector of the academy, Dr Kevin Okonna said the institution had in the last 10 months repositioned itself to improve teaching and learning.
He disclosed that seven marine professional lecturers had been recruited, while partnerships with shipowners and alumni were being harnessed to provide cadets with onboard training.
The event, themed “Implementation of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy for Onboard Training of Nigerian Merchants Navy Cadets and the Critical Needs of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria,” brought together key stakeholders to chart new directions for the industry.