Upgrading Maritime Academy to University Aligns with Global Standards, Says Professor
A university professor, Prof. Emmanuel Onwioduokit, has stated that the proposed upgrade of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) into a specialised maritime university is both globally supported and economically beneficial for the country. This response comes after recent remarks by the Chairman of the Governing Council of MAN, Oron, Kehinde Akinola, who opposed the upgrade, describing it as based on assumptions rather than verifiable facts.
Global Maritime Education Standards Support Upgrade
Onwioduokit argued that global maritime education standards clearly demonstrate that upgrading academies into universities strengthens rather than weakens training systems. He maintained that concerns about the upgrade diluting seafarer training are unfounded, noting that leading maritime institutions worldwide successfully combine academic degree programmes with rigorous professional training.
He cited examples such as the World Maritime University in Sweden, the Korea Maritime & Ocean University, and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport. These institutions operate hybrid systems that integrate academic degrees with professional cadet and seafarer training without compromising standards.
According to him, these institutions have not only maintained training quality but have expanded their capacity, international reputation, and relevance within the global maritime industry.
Nigeria's Institutional Weakness in Blue Economy
The professor further argued that Nigeria, despite being Africa's largest economy with a vast coastline and strategic presence in the Gulf of Guinea, still lacks sufficient specialised maritime universities. He described this gap as a major institutional weakness in the country's blue economy development.
He said the absence of such institutions limits Nigeria's ability to produce a critical mass of maritime professionals, including marine engineers, naval architects, logistics experts, maritime security specialists, and policy researchers needed to drive the sector.
Benefits of University Status for Growth and Development
Onwioduokit also noted that the current structure of the Maritime Academy limits its growth potential, particularly in degree awarding, postgraduate studies, research funding, and international academic collaboration. He explained that upgrading the institution to a university would unlock opportunities for accredited degree programmes, expand research centres, improve access to global funding, advance laboratories, and strengthen partnerships with international maritime bodies.
Addressing concerns over professional certification, he assured that Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) programmes would not be weakened but rather enhanced under a university system. This would include improved simulators, upgraded facilities, stronger industry linkages, and modernised curricula aligned with global standards.
Economic Importance of the Upgrade
The don also emphasised the economic importance of the proposed upgrade, stating that Nigeria's blue economy, which includes shipping, logistics, port operations, fisheries, offshore energy, shipbuilding, marine tourism, and maritime security, requires a highly skilled workforce and continuous research and innovation. He highlighted that a specialised maritime university would better support these sectors by providing advanced education and training, thereby boosting economic growth and competitiveness in the global maritime industry.
