Maritime Academy Secures Approval For New Simulators, Mulls Training Vessel For Cadets

The acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Dr. Kevin Okonna, on Tuesday, said the Academy has commenced the procurement process for the purchase of two brand new simulators in order to meet industry requirements.

This was disclosed at the press briefing on the current state of the Academy and facts about its training standard, on the sidelines of the 3rd quarter 2025 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.

The acting Rector further stated that the academy is collaborating with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on increased recognition of Nigeria’s Seafarers  Certificates of Competency (CoC).

Dr Okonna who said the academy is continually seeking employment of appropriately qualified and experienced professional lecturers and instructors, said the Academy is continuing to expand on its training facilities and the courses offered.

He also revealed that the simulator training Indian expert who left in 2021 would be returning to the academy.

According to him, the Academy has secured approval through the 2025 appropriation act to ensure continual improvement of the Academy in quality of training, training facilities, infrastructural development, and employment of more instructors and lecturers.

“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.

“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

“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.”

Also speaking is the chairman of the Governing Council of the Academy, Engr. Kehinde Akinola mulled plans to purchase training vessels for the training of cadets of the Academy.

Engr Akinola said the training vessel would help solve the crisis of cadetship training that has bedevilled the institution.

According to him, the initiative was part of the academy’s five-year strategic plan, which would further reposition the academy and make it one of the best around the world.

Engr Akinola, who stated that MAN Oron has one of the best Simulators in the world, explained that getting a training vessel will further mean achieving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We have plans to get a training vessel for the training of our cadets,” he stated.

The governing council chairman also noted that the Academy has provided funding for the Academy’s 2025 budget seatime training for the cadets.

He said, “In 2025 budgets, we have à provision for our cadets to be trained onboard vessels even if we must pay.”