MAN Oron Bags ISO Certification, Goes International Offering Training Slots to Liberian Cadets
… Begins Rehabilitation of Survival Pools for Effective Maritime Training
The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron has been awarded ISO Certification for Integrated Management Systems in recognition of it’s increasing standards in maritime education and training while also perfecting rehabilitation works on it’s three survival pools.
Acting Rector of the academy, Dr Kevin Okonna disclosed this when he received the House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration on oversight visit led by it’s Deputy Chairman, Hon Uduak Odudoh.
According to Dr. Okonna, the ISO integrated management certification covers for dual standards, ISO 9001-2015 which certifies quality management system and ISO 21001-2025 for Educational Organisation Management System
JournalNG findings reveal that the academy is the first maritime training institution in Nigeria to achieve the ISO 21001-2025. The certification gives the academya globally recognized framework that validates it’s commitment to quality, safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement. It serves as a third-party assurance that MAN Oron management systems, products, or services meet international standards, ultimately building trust with customers and opening new market opportunities.
The Acting Rector informed the visiting lawmakers that the academy has deployed judicious use of appropriated funds to maintain the existing training facilities attract internationally recognised instructors to produce the needed manpower to work onboard modern vessels.
He added that the academy presently possesss all the needed simulators for effective maritime training. Okonna listed the multifunctional classroom simulator, full mission bridge simulator, full engine room simulator and others installed in 2020
On staff motivation, Okonna said, the academy on his watch has achieved staff conditions of service approved by the Office of the Head of Service, which is happening for the first time in the country’s 49 year old premier maritime training institution.
Speaking to the issue of job creation and mandatory sea time training, the Acting Rector told the lawmakers that 80 out of 212 graduating cadets secured instant employments at the 2025 graduation ceremony.
According to him, through a memorandum of understanding with the Nigeria LNG Ship Management Limited (NSML), the academy achieved mandatory sea time opportunities for 43 cadets in two batches of 13 on December 23, 2025 and 30 recently on February 20, 2026.
While disclosing plans to attract foreign students to the academy, Okonna announced a recent visit by his management team to Liberia, where they met with the leadership of the Liberian Maritime Authority on the need to offer maritime training to the sister West African country.
The choice of Liberia was considered because the country has the largest fleet of vessels flying her flag and getting trainees from there could open sea time and employment opportunities for it’s graduates
To enhance teaching and learning within its campus, the academy has achieved 24 hour power supply by reconnecting to public power supply, using generator and solar powered electricity sources
He said the host community has benefitted from the power supply reconnection in addition to providing solar powered bore hole for water and construction of a market for the Eyo Abasi people.
He disclosed that the three survival pools in the academy are being rehabilitated with one being completely rebuilt and would be completed within a month from the lawmakers visit.
Also speaking during the visit, Hon Odudoh lauded Okonna for improving on the standard he inherited from his immediate predecessor and the rapid transformation the Acting Rector has achieved within a short period.
While describing Okonna as a round peg in a round hole, the lawmakers also praised him for building a cordial and sustainable relationship with the academy’s host community as according to them, such relationship would always support teaching and learning in an environment of where harmony reigns
One Comment