A college don, Prof. Emmanuel Onwioduokit, has responded to current remarks by the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Kehinde Akinola, over the proposed improve of the establishment right into a specialised maritime college, saying the transition is each globally supported and economically helpful to Nigeria.
Earlier, Akinola had cautioned in opposition to changing the academy into a standard college, including that such a transfer might have an effect on its specialised coaching focus, weaken trade linkages, and have an effect on its alignment with worldwide requirements such because the Requirements of Coaching, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.
Reacting on Friday in Uyo, Onwioduokit mentioned the opposition to the improve was based mostly on assumptions quite than verifiable info, noting that international maritime training requirements clearly display that upgrading academies into universities strengthens quite than weakens coaching techniques.
He mentioned considerations that the improve would have an effect on seafarer coaching are unfounded, noting that main maritime establishments all over the world efficiently mix tutorial diploma programmes with rigorous skilled coaching.
He cited the World Maritime College in Sweden, the Korea Maritime and Ocean College, and the Arab Academy for Science, Expertise and Maritime Transport, all of which function hybrid techniques, integrating tutorial levels with skilled cadet and seafarer coaching with out lack of requirements as examples.
The professor additionally mentioned Nigeria, regardless of being Africa’s largest economic system with an enormous shoreline and strategic presence within the Gulf of Guinea, nonetheless lacks adequate specialised maritime universities, a spot he mentioned is a significant institutional weak spot within the nation’s blue economic system growth.
The absence of such establishments limits Nigeria’s means to provide a vital mass of maritime professionals, together with marine engineers, naval architects, logistics specialists, maritime safety specialists, and coverage researchers wanted to drive the sector.
Addressing considerations on skilled certification, he assured that Requirements of Coaching, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) programmes wouldn’t be weakened however quite enhanced beneath a college system, with improved simulators, upgraded amenities, stronger trade linkages, and modernised curricula aligned with international requirements.
He added that maritime universities worldwide proceed to take care of skilled coaching alongside tutorial growth, guaranteeing that cadets obtain each theoretical and sensible experience at increased ranges of competence.
”The Maritime College will function a catalyst for nationwide growth by producing expert manpower, driving innovation, creating employment, attracting worldwide partnerships, and positioning Nigeria as a maritime data hub in Africa,: he mentioned.