While awaiting the approval of it’s five year strategic development plan,Acting Rector, Kevin Okonna has disclosed moves to make Nigeria’s premier maritime training institution, one of the best globally for cadets, students and staff
On November 13, 2025, all roads led to Oron town, the seat of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria for the 2025 Graduation Ceremony organised for 221 cadets who bagged Higher National Diplomas(HND) and National Diplomas(ND)
Dr. Kevin Okonna, Acting Rector, who oversaw the planning made this year’s event outstanding in many ways – featuring fulfilled promises of non stop power supply, more comfortable accommodation and reassurances of employment opportunities for graduates while guaranteeing spaces for mandatory sea time for cadets in training.
The event which attracted the cream of the nation’s maritime community had Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in attendance. It was the first time an incumbent NIMASA DG was attending a graduation ceremony of the academy .
Many unique features were unveiled at the event including facilitating membership of relevant maritime professional bodies for all graduating cadets. He ensured the registration of the all the cadets with at least one international professional association, including the Nautical Institute, UK, IMarEST, UK and CILT Nigeria.
According to Okonna,the Nautical Institute has established The Nautical Institute Prize for the Best Graduating cadet in HND Nautical Science, including and award certificate and money in British Pounds for Nautical Science publications of the winners choice.
The Acting Rector disclosed that discussions have commenced for working with the Nautical Institute and the IMarEST for accreditation of Academy’s specialized courses. This is coming after the academy signed Memorandum of Agreement with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria for student and associate member categories and further capacity building of all our cadets in the School of
Maritime Transport Studies (SMTS). The Academy has also signed an MOU
with Abuja MoU on Port State Control for West and Central Africa for provision
of Port State Control Officers (PSCOs)course in the Academy. The Course has been approved by NIMASA and the instructors have been provided further training abroad.
EMPLOYMENT AND SEA TIME OPPORTUNITIES
More than ever before, Okonna attracted goodwill from maritime stakeholders resulting in instant employments , sea time opportunities and cash gifts for outstanding cadets in millions of naira
Notable maritime companies like Starzs Investment Limited, Sea Transport Services Nigeria Ltd, and Arion Energy Services Ltd announced employments and sea time for graduating cadets. The Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) also absorbed 50 cadets for sea time
According to Okonna, the Academy is working very hard to strengthen it’s partnership and is very close to having a contract with the NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML) for the provision of onboard ship training for cadets of the Academy as well as many
other services that will lead to greater international opportunities for the cadets
in the Academy
QUALITY CONTROL
Speaking on quality assurance, Dr Okonna said the academy has recently been audited by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the International Maritime Organisation. He said “A cornerstone of our strategy has been an unyielding focus on quality assurance and the provision of world-class training and certification. I am delighted to share that the Academy has completed Stage One of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) quality audit and we are preparing diligently
for Stage Two as we move toward certification of our standards in line with ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System) and ISO 21001:2025 (Educational Organizational Management System (EOMS)
Independent Evaluators from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently visited the Academy for evaluation of Nigeria’s compliance with the Provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (as amended).
MORE CONDUCIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The Academy has restored reasonably steady public power supply to the Academy and the Oron community after over eight years. It totally rehabilitated all the cadets and students hostels and installed solar power facilities for 24 hours power supply
FACULTY UPGRADE AND STAFF WELFARE
The Okonna led Management working with the current Governing Council of the Academy, and for the first time in the school’s history have successfully completed and obtained approval for the Staff Conditions of Service from the Office of Head of Civil Service of the
Federation (OHCSF).
This a major milestone towards its effort to attract and retain rare and skilled professionals into the Academy and will also guarantee equity, motivation, and professional growth for it’s staff.
Presently, there are three (3) foreigners of Indian national, of high professional
capacity among our faculty members.
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