Wasiu Eshinlokun, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, has described the maritime sector as a critical asset for the development of the economy and the generation of employment opportunities.

Mr Eshinlokun said this during the committee’s visit to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron on oversight functions on Monday.

The chairman led members of the committee to the Academy to assess the state of the institution’s infrastructure and verify its suitability for educational purposes.

“We are here to witness the strides you have made, understand the challenges you face, and collaborate in shaping the future of maritime education in Nigeria. The Maritime Sector is not just a backbone for trade and development, it is a catalyst for innovation, employment, and national prosperity,” Mr Eshinlokun said.

He commended the acting rector, Kevin Okonna, for the high standard of infrastructure observed during the visit, describing it as a strategic national asset and of international standard, suitable for the education of seafarers and other maritime courses.

“This visit offered us an opportunity to assess the professional infrastructure and academic capacity of the academy and, more importantly, its teaching and learning. This institution is not just a citadel of learning. It is a strategic asset for Nigeria’s drive toward economic emancipation and maritime development,” he said.

Mr Eshinlokun added that the National Assembly was proud to complement the Academy’s strides through legislative support and continuous engagement.

Addressing the cadets and management staff after the tour of facilities, the senate committee chairman commended the academy for its state-of-the-art simulators. He urged the cadets to be committed to their training, saying that they are the country’s future captains, transport technocrats, and ship administrators.

The lawmaker added that Nigeria was becoming a maritime hub because of President Bola Tinubu’s desire to invest in the Marine and Blue Economy.

(NAN)