In a bold move to tackle one of the most persistent challenges facing Nigeria’s maritime education sector, the Governing Council of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, has unveiled ambitious plans to procure training vessels. This initiative is aimed at resolving the longstanding issue of inadequate seatime training opportunities for cadets, a critical requirement for their certification and employability in the global maritime industry. The announcement marks a significant step toward enhancing the quality of maritime education in Nigeria, aligning with national economic goals, and addressing the systemic barriers that have hindered the growth of the country’s maritime workforce.
The decision was revealed during the Academy’s 3rd Quarter 2025 Citizens and Stakeholders’ Engagement, an event themed “Implementation of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy for Onboard Training of Nigerian Merchant Navy Cadets and the Critical Needs of Maritime Academy of Nigeria.” Held at the Academy’s campus in Oron, Akwa Ibom State, the event brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, maritime industry leaders, educators, and students, to discuss the institution’s strategic direction and its role in Nigeria’s burgeoning blue economy.
The Seatime Training Crisis: A Barrier to Maritime Careers
For decades, the Nigerian maritime sector has grappled with a critical shortage of ocean-going vessels, a problem that has severely limited the ability of cadets to gain the mandatory sea experience required for professional certification. Seatime, which involves hands-on training aboard operational vessels, is an essential component of maritime education. It equips cadets with the practical skills and real-world experience needed to navigate ships, manage cargo operations, and ensure safety at sea. Without this training, cadets are unable to obtain the Certificate of Competency (CoC), a globally recognized qualification that serves as a prerequisite for employment in the maritime industry.
The absence of sufficient training vessels in Nigeria has created a bottleneck in the career progression of maritime cadets. Many graduates of MAN Oron and other maritime institutions in the country find themselves unemployed, forced to seek costly training opportunities abroad, or compelled to abandon their maritime aspirations entirely. This situation not only undermines the potential of Nigeria’s maritime workforce but also hampers the country’s ability to harness the economic opportunities presented by its vast maritime resources.
The lack of a robust national fleet has been a recurring concern raised by stakeholders in the maritime sector. Industry experts have consistently called on the Federal Government and regulatory bodies, such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), to establish a national shipping line and forge international partnerships to address the capacity gap. These partnerships could provide Nigerian cadets with access to training slots on foreign vessels, ensuring they meet global standards for certification and employment.
MAN Oron’s Strategic Vision: Training Vessels as a Game-Changer
Speaking at the stakeholders’ engagement, Engr. Kehinde Akinola, Chairman of the Governing Council of MAN Oron, outlined the Academy’s five-year strategic plan, which places the acquisition of training vessels at the forefront of its priorities. “We have plans to get training vessels for the training of our cadets,” Akinola stated, emphasizing that the initiative is a critical component of the institution’s efforts to produce world-class maritime professionals.
Akinola highlighted the Academy’s existing strengths, noting that MAN Oron is equipped with one of the most advanced maritime simulators in the world. These state-of-the-art simulators provide cadets with a virtual environment to practice navigation, ship handling, and emergency response procedures. However, while simulators are invaluable for theoretical and simulated training, they cannot fully replicate the real-world experience of working on a vessel at sea. The acquisition of training vessels is therefore seen as a complementary step to ensure that cadets receive comprehensive, hands-on training that meets international standards.
The decision to invest in training vessels reflects a broader commitment to addressing the structural deficiencies in Nigeria’s maritime education system. By providing dedicated vessels for cadet training, MAN Oron aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical experience, enabling its graduates to compete effectively in the global maritime industry. This initiative is also expected to reduce the financial burden on cadets, many of whom currently face significant costs to secure seatime training opportunities abroad.
Aligning with National Policy and the Renewed Hope Agenda
The acquisition of training vessels aligns closely with the Federal Government’s National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, a framework designed to harness Nigeria’s maritime resources for sustainable economic growth. The blue economy encompasses a wide range of activities, including shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, marine tourism, and offshore energy, all of which rely on a skilled and well-trained workforce. By addressing the seatime training crisis, MAN Oron is positioning itself as a key player in the implementation of this policy, contributing to the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector and its integration into the global economy.
Engr. Akinola emphasized that the initiative is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes economic diversification, job creation, and capacity building. The maritime sector holds immense potential to drive economic growth in Nigeria, given the country’s strategic location along major international shipping routes and its extensive coastline. However, the lack of adequately trained professionals has been a significant barrier to unlocking this potential. By equipping cadets with the skills and experience needed to excel in the industry, MAN Oron’s training vessel program is expected to create new opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship, particularly for young Nigerians.
Budgetary Provisions and Alternative Solutions
In addition to the acquisition of training vessels, MAN Oron has made provisions in its 2025 budget to ensure that cadets can access onboard training opportunities, even if it requires paying for placements on external vessels. This stopgap measure underscores the urgency of addressing the seatime crisis and reflects the Academy’s commitment to ensuring that no cadet is left behind due to a lack of training opportunities.
The decision to allocate funds for external placements is a pragmatic response to the current shortage of training vessels in Nigeria. While the acquisition of dedicated vessels remains the long-term goal, partnering with international shipping companies or securing training slots on foreign vessels could provide immediate relief for cadets. Such partnerships would also foster knowledge transfer and expose Nigerian cadets to global best practices in maritime operations.
However, the reliance on external placements raises questions about cost and accessibility. Securing training slots on foreign vessels can be prohibitively expensive, placing an additional financial burden on cadets and their families. To mitigate this, MAN Oron is exploring ways to subsidize these costs and establish formal agreements with shipping companies to streamline the process. These efforts are expected to create a more sustainable and equitable system for cadet training in the interim.
The Broader Context: Nigeria’s Maritime Sector and Global Competitiveness
The challenges facing MAN Oron and its cadets are symptomatic of broader issues within Nigeria’s maritime sector. Despite its strategic importance, the sector has been plagued by underinvestment, outdated infrastructure, and a lack of policy coherence. The absence of a national shipping line, for instance, has limited Nigeria’s ability to participate meaningfully in global shipping, leaving the country heavily reliant on foreign vessels for trade and commerce.
This dependency has significant economic implications. Nigeria, as one of Africa’s largest economies, handles a substantial volume of maritime trade through its ports in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Calabar. However, the majority of vessels operating in Nigerian waters are foreign-owned, meaning that a significant portion of the revenue generated from shipping activities flows out of the country. By developing a robust national fleet and training a skilled workforce, Nigeria could capture a larger share of this revenue and create thousands of jobs for its citizens.
The acquisition of training vessels by MAN Oron represents a step toward addressing these systemic issues. A well-trained maritime workforce would not only enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in global shipping but also support the growth of related industries, such as shipbuilding, repair, and logistics. Moreover, by producing graduates who meet international standards, MAN Oron could position Nigeria as a hub for maritime education and training in West Africa, attracting students and professionals from neighboring countries.
Stakeholder Reactions and Expectations
The announcement of the training vessel initiative has been met with widespread support from stakeholders in the maritime sector. Industry leaders have praised MAN Oron for taking proactive steps to address the seatime crisis, with many expressing optimism about the potential impact on cadet employability and the broader maritime industry.
Representatives from NIMASA, the agency responsible for regulating Nigeria’s maritime sector, have also welcomed the initiative. NIMASA has been under pressure to address the seatime training gap, and the agency has previously launched programs such as the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) to provide cadets with training opportunities abroad. However, the scale of the challenge requires a multifaceted approach, and MAN Oron’s vessel acquisition plan is seen as a complementary effort that could significantly enhance the effectiveness of these programs.
Cadets at MAN Oron have expressed relief and excitement about the prospect of improved access to seatime training. For many, the lack of training opportunities has been a source of frustration and uncertainty, with some spending years searching for placements or resorting to low-paying jobs outside the maritime sector. The promise of dedicated training vessels offers hope for a brighter future, enabling them to complete their training and pursue rewarding careers at sea.
Challenges and Considerations
While the training vessel initiative holds great promise, its success will depend on several factors. First, the acquisition of vessels is a capital-intensive endeavor, requiring significant financial investment. MAN Oron will need to secure adequate funding from the Federal Government, private sector partners, or international donors to cover the costs of purchasing, maintaining, and operating the vessels. Transparent and efficient management of these funds will be critical to ensuring that the project delivers on its objectives.
Second, the Academy must address logistical challenges related to the operation of the vessels. This includes recruiting qualified instructors and crew members, ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations, and establishing a robust maintenance schedule to keep the vessels in optimal condition. Failure to address these issues could undermine the effectiveness of the training program and erode stakeholder confidence.
Third, MAN Oron must work closely with NIMASA and other stakeholders to integrate the training vessel program into the broader framework of Nigeria’s maritime policy. This includes aligning the curriculum with international standards set by organizations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and ensuring that cadets receive certifications that are recognized globally.
The Road Ahead: Building a Sustainable Maritime Future
The acquisition of training vessels by MAN Oron represents a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s maritime sector. By addressing the seatime training crisis, the Academy is laying the foundation for a more robust and competitive maritime workforce, capable of meeting the demands of the global shipping industry. This initiative also underscores the importance of investing in education and infrastructure to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.
Moving forward, MAN Oron must continue to engage with stakeholders to ensure that the training vessel program is implemented effectively. This includes fostering partnerships with shipping companies, both domestic and international, to provide additional training opportunities and create pathways for cadet employment. The Academy should also explore innovative financing models, such as public-private partnerships, to sustain the program over the long term.
At the national level, the Federal Government must prioritize the development of a national shipping line and the modernization of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure. These efforts would complement MAN Oron’s initiatives and create a more enabling environment for the growth of the maritime sector. By addressing these challenges holistically, Nigeria can position itself as a leading maritime nation, capable of harnessing its vast resources for economic prosperity.
In conclusion, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria’s plan to acquire training vessels is a bold and forward-thinking initiative that has the potential to transform the country’s maritime education landscape. By providing cadets with the practical training they need to succeed, MAN Oron is not only addressing a critical gap in the system but also contributing to the broader goals of economic development and global competitiveness. As the Academy moves forward with its strategic plan, it will need to navigate financial, logistical, and policy challenges to ensure that the promise of this initiative is fully realized. For Nigeria’s maritime cadets, the prospect of dedicated training vessels offers renewed hope for a brighter, more prosperous future in the maritime industry.
