Maritime Academy Graduates Over 50 Cadets For Mandatory Sea-Time Training, Secures Global Shipping Partnerships

The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, has announced the successful placement of more than 50 cadets onboard internationally trading vessels for their mandatory one-year sea-time training, as the institution graduated its 2026 batch of cadets.

The announcement was made by the Acting Rector of the Academy, Dr. Kevin Okonna, during the 2026 Cadets’ Graduation Ceremony held on Thursday, October 29, 2026, in Oron, Akwa Ibom State.

Okonna disclosed that 43 of the cadets were currently undertaking their mandatory sea-service training aboard modern vessels operated by NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited, NSML, through the partnership between the Academy and maritime industry stakeholders.

He identified other organisations supporting the sea-time training initiative to include the Shipowners Association of Nigeria, Starzs Investments Limited, Sea Transport Nigeria Limited, Arion Nigeria Limited and the Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, AMANO.

According to him, reports on the performance of cadets already deployed onboard the vessels have been impressive, ranging from very good to excellent in both professional competence and character.

The Rector said the development reflected the Academy’s commitment to bridging the gap between classroom instruction and practical maritime experience, while preparing Nigerian seafarers for employment opportunities in the global shipping industry.

He also disclosed that the Academy had secured international certifications under ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management Systems and ISO 21001:2025 for Educational Organisations Management Systems from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON.

Okonna further revealed that, with the support of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, the Academy had won a competitive Expression of Interest to partner with the International Maritime Organisation, IMO and the World Maritime University, WMU as the focal institution for the Future Ready Shipping, FRS in Africa Project.

The project, he explained, would support integrated pilot initiatives for green and digital shipping in sub-Saharan Africa.

He added that the Academy had sustained partnerships with international professional bodies, ensuring that every cadet was registered with at least one recognised institution, including the Nautical Institute, United Kingdom; the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, IMarEST; the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, CILT; or the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration, CIOTA.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, said the Federal Government was committed to producing competent maritime professionals capable of securing meaningful employment, competing internationally and contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.

Oyetola, who congratulated the graduating cadets, said the success of maritime education should not be measured merely by the number of graduates produced but by how effectively they transition into professional certification, onboard employment and productive careers.

He stressed the need for stronger collaboration between maritime training institutions, government agencies, shipowners and industry operators to ensure that training remained responsive to industry requirements, technological developments and internationally recognised professional standards.

The Minister emphasised the importance of compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, STCW 1978, as amended, describing international confidence in Nigeria’s maritime training and certification as indispensable to the country’s ambition of becoming a leading supplier of competent seafarers globally.

He commended the Academy for developing STCW-compliant curricula for its Nautical Science and Marine Engineering programmes, as well as obtaining certifications under ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 21001:2025.

Oyetola particularly applauded NSML for providing sea-time training opportunities for 43 cadets and disclosed that another batch of graduating cadets was expected to benefit from the arrangement later in 2026 and early 2027.

He also commended the Shipowners Association of Nigeria, Starzs Investment Limited, Sea Transport Services Nigeria Limited, Arion Energy Services Limited and other industry partners for supporting onboard training opportunities.

The Minister urged more indigenous shipowners and maritime operators to provide sea-time placements for cadets, describing such support as an investment in the future of Nigeria’s shipping industry.

He further charged the graduating cadets to uphold discipline, integrity, resilience, technical competence and safety consciousness, stressing that they would be representing Nigeria wherever they found themselves in the global maritime industry.

Meanwhile, the Minister formally launched the Academy’s Enterprise Content Management System, ECMS, describing the initiative as an important milestone in the institution’s digital transformation journey.

He said the system aligned with the Federal Government’s ongoing public service reforms aimed at promoting efficiency, transparency, accountability and improved service delivery through the automation of administrative processes and digitisation of records.

Oyetola commended the Governing Council, management and staff of the Academy for embracing the initiative and urged them to ensure its effective utilisation and sustainability.

Earlier, the Managing Director of NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited, Abdulkadir K. Ahmed, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to maritime manpower development and the training of globally competitive Nigerian professionals.

Ahmed, who spoke on behalf of NSML management and staff, said the company’s partnership with the Academy, including the training collaboration facilitated through its Maritime Centre of Excellence, reflected its belief that a sustainable maritime workforce could only be developed through effective collaboration between training institutions and industry operators.

He noted that classroom knowledge must be complemented with practical skills, professional discipline and safety consciousness required in real-world maritime operations.

According to him, NSML remains committed to capacity building, competency development and professional training initiatives that prepare Nigerian maritime personnel to meet international standards.

He encouraged the graduating cadets to embrace integrity, resilience, continuous learning and an unwavering commitment to safety, while assuring the Academy of NSML’s continued collaboration in strengthening local expertise and supporting the long-term sustainability of the maritime industry.

The ceremony also featured the presentation of National Diploma and Higher National Diploma certificates, alongside prizes from national and international organisations to deserving cadets.

The Acting Rector disclosed that the Academy had also implemented its newly approved Conditions of Service and organisational structure in 2026, following directives from its Governing Council, with improved staff welfare benefits.

He said the transition to the ECMS would move the institution away from manual and paper-based administrative processes towards a more efficient, transparent and secure digital working environment, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Academy’s 2026 Performance Bond for Ministerial Deliverables.

Addressing the graduating cadets, Okonna urged them to uphold the values of the institution and distinguish themselves through professional competence and integrity.

He reminded them that a true maritime professional was defined not only by technical knowledge but also by character, honesty and discipline.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Akwa Ibom State Government, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, NIMASA, the Nigeria Port Economic Regulatory Agency, NPERA, security agencies, maritime industry operators, traditional institutions and the Academy’s alumni community.

Mrs Fatima Mahmood, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Anthony Luke, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Transport, Dr Kelvin Okonna, Acting Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Engr. Kehinde Akinola, Chairman, Governing Council, MAN, Oron, among other dignitaries and awarded cadets at the 2026 graduation ceremony of MAN cadets on Thursday.

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