The Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Kevin Okoona, has declared the Academy’s readiness to train ferry operators, emphasising the importance of competent crew in ensuring safe ferry operations across Nigeria.
Mr. Okoona made this known while speaking at the Regional Conference on Ferry Safety, held in Lagos and jointly organised by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), and Interferry.
According to the Acting Rector, the academy currently offers over 46 specialised training programmes tailored to meet the needs of Nigeria’s maritime sector. He assured stakeholders that MAN is fully equipped and prepared to train ferry operators to meet both national and international safety and competency standards.
He highlighted the significance of the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), noting that it is a mandatory framework guiding the training of all categories of seafarers, including those working on ferries.
Mr. Okoona also called for stronger collaboration among maritime training institutions within the region, such as the Regional Maritime University (RMU), stressing that maritime education and training are capital-intensive and require shared resources and partnerships to thrive.
