MAN Oron Moves to Seal Strategic Maritime Training Partnership with Liberia

The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, has initiated plans to establish a strategic partnership with the Liberia Maritime Training Institute (LMTI) and the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) to strengthen maritime education and capacity development across the West and Central African sub-region.
The Head of Public Affairs of the academy, Mrs. Domo Umoekpe, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Uyo on Monday, noting that the collaboration is aimed at promoting maritime education, professional training, and human capacity development within the region.
Umoekpe explained that under the proposed arrangement, both institutions would establish a lecturer-exchange programme, facilitate Maritime Education and Training (MET) resource sharing, and conduct peer reviews of MET curricula across their respective areas of expertise.
She added that the partnership would also involve promoting each institution’s courses on their communication platforms and official websites, as well as providing opportunities for Liberian youths to undergo training at the academy in Oron.
According to her, the partnership initiative was secured during a working visit to the Liberia Maritime Training Institute by a delegation from the academy led by the Chairman of the Governing Council, Mr. Kehinde Akinola.
Akinola described the visit as part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to deepen regional maritime cooperation and position Nigeria as a hub for maritime operations in the sub-region.
He noted that the move aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing maritime education and international best practices in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda for the marine and blue economy sector.
“The proposed agreement will strengthen sub-regional cooperation and fast-track collective growth within the blue economy sector,” Akinola said.
Also speaking, the Acting Rector of the academy, Dr. Kevin Okonna, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to producing highly skilled and globally competitive seafarers capable of meeting international standards.
Okonna said the academy’s experienced workforce, modern training facilities, and improved curricula have positioned it among the leading maritime education and training institutions globally.
He noted that the collaboration would open new pathways for knowledge exchange, institutional cooperation, and practical training opportunities for cadets, instructors, and maritime operators within the region.
“We acknowledge Liberia for its significant standing in the global maritime community, particularly as a nation with the world’s largest merchant fleet tonnage and a Category A member of the Council of the International Maritime Organisation,” he said.
According to him, the partnership reflects a shared vision by both institutions to develop a new generation of highly skilled and globally competitive seafarers through collaboration, innovation, and capacity development.
Okonna added that the agreement would enable both institutions to leverage their strengths to improve the quality of maritime education and training, as well as capacity building for lecturers and cadets.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority, Mr. John Harvey, said the collaboration between Nigeria and Liberia would serve as a model for regional maritime partnerships.
Harvey reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to maritime development, describing the proposed collaboration as a significant step toward strengthening maritime education, training excellence, and professional development for cadets in the region.