The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Liberia Maritime Training Institute (LMTI) and the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) to establish a lecturer exchange program to strengthen maritime education and capacity development in the sub-region.
The Academy said the landmark collaboration underscores its commitment to promoting maritime education, professional training and human capacity development across West and Central Africa.
Beyond the lecturer exchange initiative, the partnership will cover several areas of cooperation, including Maritime Education and Training (MET) resource sharing, peer review of MET curricula in areas of expertise, and the promotion of courses offered by both institutions on their respective communication platforms, including websites.
Other aspects of the collaboration include training Liberian youths at the Academy, placement of MAN cadets on Liberian-flagged vessels for mandatory sea-time training, and training Liberian Port State Control officers at the Academy in collaboration with the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central Africa.
Chairman of the Governing Council of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Kehinde Akinola, said the engagement forms part of the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government to strengthen regional maritime cooperation, build institutional capacity, and promote global best practices and position Nigeria as a hub of maritime operations in the sub-region.
According to him, “This visit majorly underscores the Federal Government of Nigeria’s commitment to advancing maritime education and international best practices in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda for the Marine and Blue Economy sector. The proposed agreement will strengthen sub-regional cooperation and fast-track collective growth within the blue economy sector.”
Akinola also commended LiMA’s well-structured maritime administration system, noting its strong adherence to global maritime conventions and commitment to competitiveness within the international maritime community.
In his presentation during the visit, the Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Dr Kevin Okonna, reaffirmed the Academy’s commitment to producing highly skilled and competent seafarers capable of competing globally.
He emphasized that the Academy’s pool of competent workforce, state-of-the-art training facilities and enhanced curricula have positioned the institution among leading maritime education and training institutions worldwide.
Okonna added that the Academy’s achievements align with the policy direction of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s maritime capacity and expanding opportunities within the blue economy.
According to him, the partnership will open new pathways for knowledge exchange, institutional collaboration, and practical training, benefiting cadets, instructors, and maritime operators across the sub-region.
He said, “We acknowledge and recognise Liberia for its significant stance in the global maritime community, particularly as a nation with the world’s largest merchant ship fleet/tonnage and as a Category A Member of the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).”
In his response, the Deputy Commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority, John F. Harvey, welcomed the Academy’s delegation, noting that the partnership between the two countries was a welcome development that will serve as a model for other regional collaborations.
While reaffirming his organization’s unwavering commitment to maritime development, he described the proposed collaboration between MAN, Oron, LMTI, and LiMA as a major step towards strengthening regional maritime cooperation.
Yusuf Babalola/Leadership
