The Okonna Impact: Bridging The Gap Between Theoretical Maritime Training and Practical Seatime Experience   

Acting Rector Kevin Okonna is walking the talk, delivering on promises to achieve sea time placement for cadets of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria with a second batch induction of cadets for sea-time training on vessels managed by Nigeria LNG Ship Management Limited, NSML

 

Since assuming office, Dr Kevin Okonna has prioritised rebuilding strategic industry partnerships to unlock long-awaited onboard training opportunities for cadets , a push that has now yielded concrete results with the deployment of students for mandatory sea-time experience, reviving a collaboration that had stalled for years.

 

While NSML inducted 30 cadets for the training on 20th February, 2026, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola urged maritime operators, ship owners and other stakeholders to emulate the initiative by investing in the training of more cadets, noting that increased local manpower would enhance Nigeria’s ability to fully utilise its over 800 kilometres of coastline for economic activities.

The cadets were transferred from MAN following a Memorandum of Understanding signed by MAN and NSML in December, 2025, aimed at strengthening professional training and developing globally competitive Nigerian seafarers.

 

Mrs. Anastasia Ogbonna, the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations who represented the Minister at the induction ceremony in Port Harcourt described the initiative as a major step towards addressing youth unemployment and building indigenous capacity in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

 

Oyetola said it aligns with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises job creation and economic empowerment for young Nigerians.

He noted that the induction is the beginning of a broader effort to equip young Nigerians with maritime skills, stressing that the impact of the programme would go beyond the beneficiaries through its multiplier effect on the economy.

 

According to him, improved indigenous participation in coastal navigation would boost marine transportation, promote eco-tourism, and expand business opportunities across the country.

 

The Minister added that the initiative would not only strengthen local manpower capacity but also position Nigeria to supply globally competitive seafarers. He also encouraged the cadets to remain resilient despite the challenges of life at sea, urging them to use their training and skills to contribute to national development.

 

The Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Ship Management Limited (NSML), Abdulkadir Ahmed reaffirmed NSML’s commitment to supporting the development of world-class maritime professionals in Nigeria.

 

 

While delivering his keynote address, Ahmed said the cadets were transferred from the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, under a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening professional training and developing globally competitive Nigerian seafarers.

 

He described the ceremony as a celebration of aspiration, collaboration and shared commitment to building the next generation of maritime professionals. He noted that the initiative is the first outcome of a strategic agreement signed in December 2025 between NSML and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria to provide structured cadet training through NSML’s Maritime Centre of Excellence.

According to him, the partnership represents a deliberate investment in human capital, which he described as the most critical element of maritime operations.

 

He said NSML has continued to build a reputation as a leading provider of maritime and shipping services in Nigeria and across Africa, with a strong track record in developing competent and globally competitive seafarers.

 

He explained that the establishment of NSML’s Maritime Centre of Excellence (MCOE) was driven by the vision to build a premier maritime training institution capable of delivering world-class programmes, professional development pathways and simulator-based training aligned with international best practices.

He added that the collaboration between NSML and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria reflects the commitment of both institutions to invest in human capital, strengthen local capacity and contribute meaningfully to the growth of Nigeria’s maritime industry.

 

Addressing the cadets, Ahmed urged them to embrace discipline, resilience, integrity and excellence, noting that while NSML and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria would provide a solid foundation, their individual attitude and character would determine how far they progress in the profession.

 

He also commended stakeholders and partners for supporting the programme, describing it as relevant, competitive and impactful, while appreciating the leadership of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria for their trust and collaboration.

Okonna described the event as a major milestone, noting that it marked the strengthening of a long-standing relationship between both institutions through the execution of the MoU.

 

He said the partnership has created fresh onboard training opportunities for MAN cadets in line with the provisions of the International Maritime Organization Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) 1978, as amended.

 

 

Addressing the cadets, the Rector urged them to uphold the values of discipline, integrity, resilience and professionalism, stressing that onboard training opportunities are rare and costly. He reminded the cadets of their undertaking to the Academy to maintain good conduct throughout their training and professional careers.

He further attributed the success of the initiative to the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy policy direction, which promotes partnerships with industry stakeholders to strengthen capacity building in seafarer training.

 

 

During the induction programme for 21 young aspiring seafarers in 2025 which was held in Lagos, Ahmed and Okonna urged young Seafarers to uphold discipline and teamwork while focusing firmly on their career path. They described seafaring as pivotal to the survival of the global maritime industry.

 

Speaking on the Theme, Celebrating Excellence in Maritime Development, Ahmed reiterated that Seafarers are the lifeblood of the shipping industry, served as the output for the procurement and manufacturing of shipping goods.

He noted that, in the era of rapid technological change, expanding international trade, the need for weather training has become critical, and highly skilled seafarers are becoming greater.

 

 

He highlighted the on-going education, practical experience, and professional development that will ensure the industry will be resilient and the native professionals will be safe.

 

He reiterated that, as the largest employer of seafarers in Nigeria, the company is committed to domesticating international shipping skill sets and standards, with the believe that by developing local talent and expertise, NSML is contributing to the growth and development of the Nigerian maritime industry, thus creating opportunities for economic advancement and global competitiveness.

He expressed sincere appreciation and gratitude to partners, stakeholders, but most importantly to the management and staff of Nigeria LFGIP, who, without whom, would not be at the forefront of the sponsorship of cadetship programme.

 

“We are proud to continue on that path and take up this responsibility, reaffirming our dedication to capacity-developing the industry condition.Together, we can shape the future of the maritime industry and contribute to the development of the Nigerian maritime sector.

 

“To you, the successful 21 cadets, who have gone through a transparent and rigorous selection process, I ask you to seize this opportunity with both hands, be diligent, be disciplined, be focused, and most importantly, be committed to excellence. Take advantage of the training, the mentorship, and the exposure that this program offers you. Develop your skills, build your networks, and strive to become the best version of yourselves because ultimately, this industry and the survival of it rests in your hands. Let us embrace this opportunity to learn from you, inspire our mission, and raise the standards of maritime excellence”. He concluded.

Also speaking at the event, Okonna said the seafaring opportunity is the outcome of a process of negotiating with the NSML for the purpose of providing opportunities on board their ships for cadets of Maritime Academy.

 

 

He commended the NSML and it’s parent company, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) for being outstanding and supportive to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria over the years.

 

 

Okonna said “If there were two companies in the world globally that I would want to send our cadets to work NSML will be the top one and we have a very long history with the NSML.

 

“They had a cadetship training program in the 90s into the early 2000s.Many cadets from Maritime Academy of Nigeria were trained by the NSML for their mandatory sea time and many of them went on to be the top officers operating those vessels. In fact, the first Nigerian to captain an NSML NLNG ship to be precise is an ex-cadet of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Captain Yusuf Hambali is a product of Maritime Academy of Nigeria. The first Nigerian to captain manage an NSML ship.

 

“So we needed to recreate that relationship . As soon as I took over the management of the institution I had my sight on recreating that special relationship we had with the NSML but today has brought much more glory than I anticipated because we are not only here to celebrate the conclusion of the process of having an agreement for cadetship training having an agreement with the NSML for training of cadets of Maritime Academy of Nigeria but we’re here to celebrate NSML’s own program for training of cadets independent of that agreement.

 

“We now have a two-pronged opportunity for training cadets of Maritime Academy of Nigeria under our own agreement and training Nigerian Merchant Navy cadets under the NSML’s own program” Okonna said.