Expatriate Master Mariner Rejoins Maritime Academy As Oyetola Prioritises Cadet Training

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has declared that the Ministry is committed to ensuring that Nigerian seafarers, Cadets and maritime professionals are globally competitive and well-equipped to drive the growth of the sector.

This was even as the Rector of the Academy, Dr Kevin Okonna, said the expatriate Master Mariner & Simulator Training Expert who left the Academy in October 2021 is rejoining the Academy from India.

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 Minister said the government is working to operationalise the newly approved National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy with manpower development as one of the central pillars of the policy.

Oyetola who was represented by the Deputy Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Joshua Ayebameru, stated that the citizens’ engagement is critical as it provides the Ministry opportunities to align their efforts toward sustainable growth, enhanced competitiveness, and global relevance.

“The Ministry is currently working to operationalise the newly approved National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy. One of the central pillars of this policy is manpower development. We are committed to ensuring that our seafarers, cadets, and maritime professionals are not only globally competitive but also well-equipped to drive the growth and sustainability of this sector.

“We also recognise that policies and plans alone are not enough. It is the people — stakeholders like you — who breathe life into these policies. That is why today’s engagement is critical. It provides us with an opportunity to align our efforts, exchange valuable ideas, and chart a common path toward sustainable growth, enhanced competitiveness, and global relevance.

The Minister further stated that the Academy has remained a cornerstone of human capacity development for the nation’s maritime industry.

“Maritime Academy of Nigeria has, over the years, remained a cornerstone of human capacity development for our maritime industry. Through its programs, training, and commitment to excellence, the Academy continues to produce the manpower required to keep our sector vibrant and competitive,” the Minister stated.

“Today’s engagement is therefore not just another meeting — it is a reaffirmation of our collective vision: to advance Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy through collaboration, innovation, and excellence in maritime education and training.”

Speaking earlier, the Rector of the Academy, also disclosed that the Academy has employed seven local, foreign instructors and marine professional lecturers for the training of cadets.

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.