KOREDE DAMIFOGO
The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, on Tuesday, said the Academy has employed seven local and foreign instructors and marine professional lecturers for the training of its cadets.
Speaking at the 3rd quarter Citizens and Stakeholders Engagement titled, “Implementation of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy for Onboard Training of Nigerian Merchant Navy Cadets and the Critical Needs of Maritine Academy of Nigeria, organised by the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, the Acting Rector of the Academy, Dr Kevin Okonna, also disclosed that the the expatriate Master Mariner & Simulator Training Expert who left the Academy in October 2021 is rejoining the Academy from India.
According to Dr Okonna, the Academy has secured approval through the 2025 appropriation act to ensure continual improvement of the Academy in quality of training, facilities, infrastructural development, and employment of more instructors and lecturers.
“Since January 2025, the Academy has employed and engaged a total of seven marine professional lecturers, including two Master Mariners with Unlimited (Foreign Going) Certificates of Competency (including the expatriate Master Mariner & Simulator Training Expert who left the Academy in October 2021 and is rejoining the Academy exactly tomorrow from India).
“One Master Coastal Navigation (with other Foreign Going CoCs), One Chief Engineer (Unlimited), One Chief Mate (Unlimited), and two Deck officers (with Unlimited (Foreign Going) Certificates of Competency).”
He stated further that for the first time since its establishment, the Academy has completed the development of Conditions and Scheme of Service for staff of the Academy
“The academy obtained the approval of the 2025 Appropriation with the best provisions for ensuring the continual improvement of the Academy in quality of training, training facilities, infrastructural development, employment of more lecturers/instructors, capacity building of the staff and staff welfare in line with the Ministerial Performance Deliverables for the achievement of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
“For the first time since its establishment, the Academy has completed the development of Conditions and Scheme of Service for staff of the Academy and obtained the recommendations of the Governing Council of the Academy and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, where it is receiving attention.”
“It is pertinent to note that the Academy is continuing to expand on its training offering and facilities; therefore, it is continually seeking the employment of appropriately qualified and experienced professional lecturers and instructors.
“The management of the Academy has intensified collaboration with NIMASA on issues bordering on increased recognition of Nigeria’s seafarers’ CoC.”
“The Academy wrote to and collaborated with maritime professional associations and the Alumni of the Academy (AMANO) from January 2025 for the employment of more maritime professionals to enable expansion in the Academy’s course offering and improvement in the quality of training.