The Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron, Akwa Ibom, is at the center of a heated debate over its future. The Governing Council has raised serious concerns about calls to convert the specialized institution into a university, warning that such a move could undermine its critical role in the maritime industry.
Engr. Kehinde Akinola, Chairman of the Governing Council, addressed these concerns during a news briefing on Thursday. He suggested that the agitation for this change might be politically motivated, potentially sponsored by opposition parties aiming to “covet a national asset.” Akinola emphasized that the Academy, established specifically to train manpower for the maritime sector, would lose its specialized character and relevance if transformed into a university.
“The establishment of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron, under the Federal Ministry of Education will cause the Maritime Academy of Nigeria to lose its specialized character and genuine link to the human capacity development needs of the maritime sector in Nigeria,” Akinola stated. He further explained that the Academy’s regimented cadetship training, which ensures that merchant navy cadets are trained for physical and mental strength as well as discipline, would be compromised.
Akinola also highlighted the financial implications of such a change. The Maritime Academy of Nigeria benefits from funding provided by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), which is mandated to allocate not less than 5% of its revenue to the Academy. This funding would cease if the institution were converted into a university, as the NIMASA Act specifically recognizes the Maritime Academy of Nigeria. The loss of this funding would pose serious operational challenges, affecting the Academy’s ability to maintain its extensive physical infrastructure and training facilities.
The Chairman drew parallels with other maritime academies around the world, such as the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in Kings Point, New York, and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) in Egypt. These institutions, which award degrees, maintain strong ties with their respective maritime industries and receive substantial funding from their governments. However, Akinola stressed that the unique structure and funding model of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria are crucial to its success.
The agitation for the conversion has been ongoing for some time and received some level of approval during the previous administration. This has raised concerns about potential disruptions to the Academy’s strategic development plans. Akinola revealed that the Academy has set a five-year strategic development plan aligned with the expectations of the Renewed Hope agenda. This plan aims to attract seasoned maritime professionals to train the cadets, ensuring the continued relevance and excellence of the institution.
In addition to its educational mission, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria has been actively engaged in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts. The Academy has facilitated the reconnection of electricity to the Oron community after eight years of disconnection by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHDC). They have also provided solar street lighting to the community, demonstrating their commitment to the welfare of their host community.
The Maritime Academy of Nigeria was originally established in 1977 as the Nautical College of Nigeria, with assistance from the International Maritime Organisation. It was designed as an integrated institution for training shipboard officers, ratings, and shore-based management personnel. Following Nigeria’s ratification of the International Convention in 1978, the status of the College was upgraded by Decree No 16 of 1988, and it was renamed the Maritime Academy of Nigeria.
As the debate continues, the Governing Council remains steadfast in its commitment to preserving the Academy’s specialized character and ensuring it continues to meet the human capacity development needs of the maritime sector. The outcome of this debate will shape the future of maritime education in Nigeria and its ability to produce the skilled professionals needed to drive the industry forward.