NIMASA Pledges More Support For Maritime Academy, Seafarers

The director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, has pledged continued support for the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, in training and promoting Nigerian seafarers.

Mobereola gave the assurance during a visit to the academy.

He said human capital development remained critical to the growth of Nigeria’s Blue Economy.

The NIMASA boss said the agency would continue to support the academy to ensure that its training and certification met international standards and gained global recognition.

Mobereola also stressed the need to produce well-trained Nigerian seafarers capable of competing effectively in the global maritime labour market.

Responding, the Chairman of the MAN Governing Board, Mr Kehinde Akinola, said the academy was equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and remained one of Africa’s leading maritime training institutions.

Akinola appreciated NIMASA for its continued support, adding that the academy had developed a five-year development plan.

He said the plan included the acquisition of a training vessel to enhance practical training for cadets.

Akinola further disclosed that the Liberian Maritime Administration and a Liberian maritime training institute had expressed interest in collaborating with MAN, Oron, to provide sea-time training opportunities for Nigerian cadets onboard Liberian-flagged vessels.

According to him, the proposed collaboration will provide Nigerian cadets with additional practical experience and enhance their competitiveness in the global maritime labour market.