Okonna Commends MAN Alumni Contribution to Maritime Development, Says Human Capital Sustains Blue Economy Growth
The Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Dr. Kevin Okonna, on Friday stated that competent human capacity remains the critical link between Nigeria’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy and measurable results at sea and in the ports.
Speaking at the 2026 Stakeholders Engagement and Convention of the Alumni of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO), Okonna said the Academy’s mandate is to produce the officers, engineers and allied professionals on whom every maritime policy ultimately depends.
The three-day gathering, themed “From Policy to Practice: Executing Maritime Excellence through Professional Capacity and Real-World Results,” is chaired by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola.
Okonna praised AMANO under the leadership of President Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa for living up to the expectations of a strong alumni body. He highlighted recent contributions by members, including service as Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Secretary-General of the Abuja MoU on Port State Control, and senior roles at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML), and as CEOs of private-sector firms.
He also thanked the alumni for ongoing support to cadets and former cadets through mentorship, career guidance, welfare assistance and industry access.
The Rector noted that the Academy continues to align its curricula with the STCW Convention 1978 (as amended) and other industry standards. It invests in practical and simulator-based training, strengthens instructor competence, and collaborates with industry so that every cadet progresses from classroom to vessel and real-work environments. Recent achievements include international certifications and recognition, STCW-mandatory sea-time placements for seafaring cadets on internationally trading ships, and automatic employment offers from key industry players to graduating cadets.
“The Academy thereby serves as the bridge between policy formulated on paper and results delivered at sea, in our ports and across the wider blue economy,” Okonna said.
He urged participants to approach deliberations with candour and a sense of national duty, assuring that the Academy would study and implement relevant resolutions falling within its purview
The event brings together the Minister, heads of agencies, AMANO National Executive Council members, industry captains, Academy management, alumni, cadets and the press.
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