The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State, has concluded plans to partner with the Liberia Maritime Training Institute (LMTI) and the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) to build knowledge and capabilities.

Domo Umoekpe, the academy’s spokesperson, said in a statement on Monday that the partnership aims to promote maritime education, professional training, and human capacity development across West and Central Africa.

She explained that under the proposed partnership, both institutions would establish a lecturer-exchange programme, maritime education and training (MET) resource sharing and peer review of MET curricula in areas of expertise.

Ms Umoekpe added that the partnership would also promote courses offered by both institutions on each partner’s communication platforms and websites and train Liberian youths at the academy, among other activities.

She explained that the partnership was secured during a tour of the Liberia Maritime Training Institute led by the chairman of the academy’s governing council, Kehinde Akinola.

Ms Umoekpe said the chairman described the visit as part of the federal government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regional maritime cooperation and position Nigeria as a hub of maritime operations in the sub-region.

“The proposed agreement will strengthen sub-regional cooperation and fast-track collective growth within the blue economy sector,’’ she quoted Mr Akinola as saying.

Kevin Okonna, the academy’s acting rector, reaffirmed the academy’s dedication to continually develop highly skilled and competent seafarers capable of competing with their counterparts around the globe.

Mr Okonna said the academy’s competent workforce, state-of-the-art training facilities, and enhanced curricula had positioned the institution as one of the best maritime education and training institutions in the world.

He said the partnership would open new pathways for knowledge exchange, institutional collaboration, and practical training, benefiting cadets, instructors, and maritime operators across the sub-region.

“This partnership reflects our shared vision to build a new generation of highly skilled and globally competitive seafarers through collaboration, innovation, and capacity development,” said Mr Okonna.

During the academy’s delegation visit, the deputy commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority, John Harvey, said the partnership between the two countries would serve as a model for other regional collaborations.

Mr Harvey described the proposed collaboration as a major step towards strengthening regional maritime cooperation.

“Let me reaffirm our unwavering commitment to mutually beneficial partnerships that would enhance maritime education and training excellence and professional development of our cadets,” he said.

(NAN)