The Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, have commended the Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Dr. Kevin Okonna, for his outstanding leadership and the unprecedented progress recorded in the institution in recent years.
This was disclosed by the Head of Public Affairs Department, Domo Umoekpe.
Minister Oyetola, in his remarks, described the transformation taking place in MAN as impressive and in line with the Federal Government’s agenda to strengthen the maritime education sector. “I want to commend you for the good work you are doing in MAN, Oron. The transformation taking place there is impressive and reflects our renewed drive to align maritime education with the goals of the Blue Economy,” he said. He added that the Academy’s infrastructural renewal, improved academic standards, and state-of-the-art training facilities have enhanced Nigeria’s capacity to produce world-class seafarers and maritime professionals.
Similarly, IMO Secretary-General Dominguez expressed satisfaction with the level of progress achieved by the institution, acknowledging its adherence to global maritime training standards.
Earlier in his presentation, Dr. Okonna appreciated the IMO for its technical support and contributions to the growth of the Academy, particularly in implementing the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention and the IMO Model Courses. He outlined the major achievements of the institution since 2017, including the installation of modern simulators for hands-on training, a fully equipped Marine Engineering Workshop, a Marine Exhibition Hall displaying real ship components, and a Survival Pool Complex with Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) facilities.
The Acting Rector further highlighted the establishment of a jetty head with full facilities for PSCRB training and a functional free-fall lifeboat with Davit. According to him, the Academy now graduates about 200 cadets annually, three-quarter of whom are seafaring professionals registered with international professional bodies such as The Nautical Institute (UK), IMarEST (UK), and CILT Nigeria. In addition, over 4,000 participants undergo training yearly in the Academy’s 48 accredited mandatory short courses and specialized seafarers’ programmes, including preparatory classes for Certificates of Competency examinations administered by NIMASA.
Dr. Okonna affirmed that the Academy’s ongoing reforms align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’s Blue Economy and position the country as a regional maritime powerhouse. He reiterated the institution’s commitment to sustaining excellence through innovation, transparency, and strategic partnerships with industry stakeholders.
In a related development, IMO Secretary-General Dominguez held an inspiring two-hour interactive session with twenty cadets of the Academy, where he shared insights on global maritime strategies, sustainable shipping, and professional ethics. He urged the young seafarers to embrace eco-friendly practices and continuous learning while maintaining integrity and humility in their careers.
Speaking on behalf of the cadets, Chief Cadet Captain Ibezimako Anthony Udoka expressed gratitude to the Acting Rector for providing such exposure and a conducive learning environment.
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