The Maritime Academy of Nigeria is partnering with the Liberia Maritime Authority and the Liberia Maritime Training Institute to grow Africa’s maritime economy and education.

Tornorlah Varpilah, chairman of the Liberian Maritime Authority, said this during a reciprocal visit to MAN in Oron on Tuesday.

Mr Varpilah said the visit aimed to exchange knowledge to promote the growth of Africa’s blue economy and maritime education.

He said Nigeria has the resources and capacity to invest in the maritime sector for sustainable blue economy development.

The board chairman expressed delight at the facilities at the nation’s premier maritime academy.

Mr Varpilah commended the federal government for investing in the maritime sector, saying that the gesture would grow the blue economy.

He said Nigeria’s partnership with Liberia’s maritime sector would promote development in both countries and the African region.

“We are here to promote the African region. Nigeria is rich; they have enough capital for investment. We are committed to this partnership. We want to ensure that we share our vision together and work together to overcome maritime challenges facing Africa,” he said.

He said the maritime academy can grow the workforce base for the African blue economy.

Kehinde Akinola, the board chairman, MAN, described the Liberian maritime sector delegation visit as not only reciprocal but also timely.

“We visited Liberia in 2025. We used the visit to initiate this partnership deal. It will enhance collaboration between the two institutions,” he said.

He said the visit reaffirmed the historic bonds between Nigeria and Liberia, adding that the two countries share a maritime heritage.

The acting rector of MAN, Kevin Okonna, said key areas of the partnership were cadet training, exchange of academic programmes, exchange of lecturers, and deployment of trained cadets.

Mr Okonna said that the visit would build partnership, share resources, exchange blue economy expertise, and promote recognition of seafarer certification.

“It will also help to train Liberian seafarers in Nigeria and have Nigerian cadets to train or work onboard Liberian-flagged vessels,” he said.

Mr Okonna said all programmes at the academy had been approved in line with IMO standards of training, certification and watchkeeping.

(NAN)