By Juliana Ekpe
The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron played host to the Regional Maritime University in Ghana and Regional Academy of Marine Sciences and Techniques in Cote D’Ivore in a move initiated by the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA)
The Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria , Dr. Kevin Okonna who said the institution is honoured to host the inaugural exchange visit of maritime institutions across West and Central Africa, described it as a development aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in maritime education and training.
Speaking at the event on May 4, 2026, Okonna described the visit as a strategic milestone driven by MOWCA to deepen partnerships among Maritime Education and Training Institutions (METIs) in the sub-region.
He emphasised that the academy takes particular pride in hosting the first edition of the exchange programme.
Okonna noted that the initiative is expected to create a framework for sustained collaboration among leading maritime institutions, with the goal of building a more harmonised and globally competitive maritime sector across member states.
He highlighted ongoing efforts by the academy to strengthen regional ties, including engagement with the Regional Maritime University in Ghana, where discussions on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) are nearing completion following a historic visit during the academy’s 2025 cadets’ graduation ceremony.
The academy has also expanded its collaboration to Liberia, working with the Liberian Maritime Authority and the Liberian Maritime Training Institute to develop another MoU aimed at boosting training standards and certification across borders. The process is being supported by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.
According to Okonna, these partnerships are expected to enhance the quality, capacity, and global relevance of maritime education in the region.
He also commended the Secretary-General of MOWCA, Dr. Paul Adalikwu, for spearheading the initiative, noting that it provides an expanded platform for knowledge sharing, resource integration, and institutional synergy.
He expressed optimism that the exchange programme would lead to curriculum harmonization in line with global standards, particularly the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), while also promoting lecturer and student exchanges, as well as broader socio-economic development.
The meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for long-term collaboration and sustainable maritime governance across West and Central Africa.
“The Academy considers itself honoured to be the first to host the Exchange Visits, particularly because the MOWCA’s strategic initiative aligns with the Strategic Development Plan of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria to establish partnerships and collaboration with METIs in the sub-region and globally.
“I recognize that the Exchange Visit is a great strategic initiative of the MOWCA to establish the framework for partnership and collaboration amongst the premier maritime institutions in the sub-region with the view to developing a robust and harmonized maritime sector across its member states. ”
Secretary General of MOWCA , Dr Paul Adalikwu said the organisation is committed to bridge all the maritime human capital gaps through collaboration and synergies among training institutions in West and Central Africa.
The MOWCA SG who was speaking at the opening session of a four day exchange visit of the Regional Maritime University, Accra and Academie Regionale Des Scientists Et Techniques De La Mer, Abidjan to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron said Over 90% of the region’s trade is carried by sea, yet it’s capacity to fully harness the benefits of it’s vast domain depends largely on the quality of human capital it develops
While expressing optimism for progress through synergy, Adalikwu identified some challenges of maritime training challenges including digital transformation and emerging maritime technologies; decarbonization and environmental compliance and maritime security concerns in the Gulf of Guinea.
He also identified the increasing global standards for training and certification as a level attainable through synergies that would open opportunities recognition of certification leading to maritime jobs job placement for African youths.
According to the MOWCA SG, the collaboration will provide a unique platform to harmonize curricula and training standards; promote faculty and student exchanges; share infrastructure, research outputs, and best practices; develop joint certification programmes aligned with international standards and strengthen regional identity in maritime education and training.
Speaking further, Adalikwu said “Ultimately, what we seek to build is not just cooperation—but a cohesive regional maritime knowledge ecosystem.
“MOWCA remains firmly committed to supporting initiatives that enhance maritime capacity and institutional collaboration across our member states. This aligns with our broader strategic priorities, including:
the development of a skilled maritime workforce; promotion of safe, secure, and efficient shipping ;strengthening regional integration; provide the needed capacity for the promotion of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Intra-African trade” he said.
He added that the synergy will further research into African contribution in finding solutions to the discuss on alternative fuel energy source;
supporting the establishment of sustainable maritime institutions, including initiatives such as the proposed Regional Maritime Development Bank
The four day meeting is expected to feature lectures, group discussions, comparative curricular overview and possible harmonising of programmes for wider acceptability and ease of access to maritime jobs
One Comment