NIMASA, MAN ORON Strengthen Ties To Boost Seafarers Training Curriculum Review
_Director General/CEO, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola presenting a souvenir to the Board Chairman, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron, Engr. Kehinde Akinola during a working visit by the management of MAN Oron to the NIMASA headquarters in Lagos_
NIMASA, MAN ORON Strengthen Ties To Boost Seafarers Training Curriculum Review
…Mobereola: Agency Working to Benchmark STCW 2017 Curriculum Against Global Standards
By Success Okezie
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA* and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron* have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration in seafarers’ training and maritime human capital development.
The commitment was made during a *working visit by the Governing Council of MAN Oron*, led by its *Board Chairman, Engr. Kehinde Olayinka Akinola*, to the *NIMASA Corporate Headquarters in Lagos.
Speaking during the visit, the *DG/CEO of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola*, said effective collaboration between NIMASA and MAN Oron is critical to producing globally competitive Nigerian seafarers and growing the nation’s *Blue Economy.
Dr. Mobereola disclosed that the Agency is currently working on a *comprehensive review of the STCW 2017 curriculum* used by maritime training institutions in Nigeria.
“For over 32 years Nigerian training institutions have been operating with obsolete curricula. NIMASA is determined to review the curriculum and benchmark it against the very best globally acceptable standards,” the DG stated.
“This is in a quest to ensure that seafarers’ certification in Nigeria enjoys global recognition.”
He further reiterated NIMASA’s commitment to supporting the successful training and career progression of Nigerian seafarers through MAN Oron, noting that human capital remains one of the most critical pillars for the development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
In his response, *Engr. Kehinde Akinola*, Chairman of the Governing Board of MAN Oron, said the Academy is equipped with *state-of-the-art facilities* and remains one of the leading maritime training institutions in Africa.
He disclosed that the Academy has developed a *5-year strategic development plan*, which includes the *acquisition of a training vessel* to enhance practical, sea-time training for cadets.
Akinola also revealed that the *Liberian Maritime Administration* and a Liberian maritime training institute, which recently visited MAN Oron, have expressed interest in *collaborating with the Academy*.
The proposed partnership will facilitate opportunities for *Nigerian cadets to undertake sea-time training onboard Liberian-flagged vessels*, thereby boosting their competitiveness in the global maritime labour market.
“This collaboration will provide our cadets with additional sea-time opportunities and strengthen their chances in the international job market,” Akinola noted.
He appreciated NIMASA for its continued support to the Academy and pledged MAN Oron’s commitment to aligning its programs with national and international best practices.
The visit is expected to further strengthen synergy between the regulator and the nation’s premier maritime training institution in addressing the gap in certified Nigerian seafarers and positioning Nigeria as a major supplier of maritime manpower globally
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