Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has charged the Maritime Academy of Nigeria to remain committed to producing thoroughbred professionals for the maritime industry.

Mr Oyetola made the call at the 2025 third quarter citizens’ and stakeholders’ engagement of the institution in Oron, Akwa Ibom, on Wednesday.

The minister urged the authorities of the institution not to compromise standards.

“Over the years, the academy has trained qualified personnel for the maritime industry. The academy remains a cornerstone institution in the maritime sector. Through its programmes, training, and commitment to excellence, the academy continues to produce the manpower required to keep the sector vibrant and competitive,” he said.

Mr Oyetola further said that the engagement was to enable stakeholders to brainstorm on how to advance Nigeria’s marine and blue economy through collaborations, training and innovation.

He said that seafarers, cadets, and other maritime professionals from the institution must be well-equipped to compete globally and to drive the growth and sustenance of the sector.

The minister called for stakeholder collaboration towards developing the maritime sector, saying, “the future of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy depends on all of us.”

In his remarks, the chairman of MAN’s governing council, Kehinde Akinola, said that the council had developed a comprehensive five-year strategic development plan for the academy.

Mr Akinola said that when approved, the plan would accelerate institutional reforms, enhance training standards, deepen industry linkages, and reposition the academy for greater efficiency.

He said that the governing council was partnering with shipowners and operators to secure practical training for the cadets.

“It is an obligation because we must prepare our cadets to meet international standards,” he said.

Earlier, Kevin Okonna, the acting rector of the academy, said that within the past 10 months, the academy had been repositioned to enhance teaching and learning.

Mr Okonna said that the institution had been collaborating with maritime professional associations and the academy’s alumni to facilitate the employment of more maritime professionals.

“We have employed about seven marine professional lecturers to enhance cadets’ teaching and learning. We have also obtained the commitment of shipowners and their associations to provide onboard training opportunities for our cadets,” he said.

(NAN)