SON Presents Integrated Management Certificates to Maritime Academy as Oyetola Urges Sustained Global Standards
The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, has received Integrated Management System (IMS) certification from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), with the Federal Government describing the development as a major step toward strengthening quality assurance and global competitiveness in Nigeria’s maritime education sector.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony held at the Academy , the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola said the certification reflects the institution’s commitment to excellence, environmental sustainability, occupational health and safety standards.
The minister noted that the certification demonstrates the Academy’s adherence to internationally recognised standards and best practices, adding that the achievement would position the institution as a centre of excellence for maritime training.
He said the Marine and Blue Economy sector remains critical to Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda, stressing that the Federal Government would continue to strengthen institutional capacity and promote international standards across maritime training institutions.
Oyetola also commended SON for supporting quality assurance and standardisation across sectors, while urging the Academy not to see the certification as an end in itself but a foundation for greater achievements.
“The acquisition of the Integrated Management System Certification is a clear demonstration of commitment to excellence, quality assurance, environmental sustainability, and occupational health and safety standards.
“This certification positions the Academy as a centre of excellence, equipped to produce highly skilled and globally competitive maritime professionals. Quality, safety, and environmental stewardship are non-negotiable principles in the maritime sector.” he said.
The Director-General of SON, Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, described the certification as a major milestone in the drive towards institutional excellence, international competitiveness and sustainable development in Nigeria’s maritime education sector.
Okeke said the Academy occupies a strategic position in the development of maritime manpower for Nigeria and the global maritime industry, adding that the certification underscores management’s commitment to quality, operational efficiency, educational excellence and continuous improvement.
According to him, the ISO 9001:2015 standard would strengthen the Academy’s administrative processes, governance structure and training delivery systems, while the ISO 21001:2025 standard would improve learner satisfaction, stakeholder engagement and competence development.
The SON boss also commended the Academy’s investments in modern infrastructure, including simulators, smart classrooms, survival pools and virtual reality training systems, saying the facilities position the institution as a leading maritime training centre in West and Central Africa.
He further praised the Academy’s partnerships with international organisations such as the World Maritime University and The Nautical Institute, describing the collaborations as vital to research, innovation and capacity building.
“Today’s event represents another significant milestone in the continuous drive towards institutional excellence, quality assurance, and international competitiveness.
“The successful certification of the Academy is a strong indication of management’s commitment to quality, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and continual improvement. ISO certification is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a continuous commitment to excellence.”, he said.
Acting Rector of the Academy , Kevin Okonna, noted that the institution pursued Integrated Management System certification to meet international standards and satisfy regulatory and industry requirements.
He explained that the Academy could no longer effectively meet its statutory mandates and customers’ expectations without a certified quality management system.
According to him, International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers requires maritime training institutions to continuously monitor their training processes through quality assurance systems.
He said the Academy had earlier established a Quality Assurance Department and worked with SON to train staff in Quality Management Systems up to lead auditor level.
The acting rector added that the knowledge gained enabled the Academy to establish a quality management system for its operations and secure approvals and accreditations for its programmes, although the system had not previously been submitted for certification.
“The institution could no longer satisfy relevant international standards and customers’ requirements without the certification of its Quality Standard System.
“The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers requires that training processes must be continuously monitored through a quality standards system.The knowledge gained was used to establish a Quality Management System for the Academy’s operations.”, he said.
Chairman of the Governing Council of MAN, Kehinde Olayinka Akinola, said the institution’s newly acquired certification confirms its alignment with globally accepted standards in quality management and institutional processes.
Speaking during the official presentation of the certificates , Akinola said the achievement would strengthen the Academy’s credibility and global competitiveness within the maritime industry.
He noted that quality assurance remains essential in the maritime sector because the industry operates within a highly regulated international environment where safety, efficiency and continuous improvement are indispensable.
The Governing Council chairman commended the Academy’s management, staff and cadets for their dedication and commitment to institutional excellence, adding that the certification should serve as a foundation for sustained improvement.
Akinola assured stakeholders that the Governing Council would continue to support initiatives aimed at transforming the Academy into a leading maritime training institution in Africa and beyond.
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