The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has commenced plans to review the 2017 Standard Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) curriculum for Maritime Training Institutions in Nigeria, in a move aimed at bringing the country’s seafarer training in line with global standards.
The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, disclosed this when the Governing Board of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, led by its Chairman, Engr. Kehinde Olayinka Akinola, paid a working visit to the Agency’s Corporate Headquarters in Lagos.
Mobereola said the review was necessary to address the obsolete curriculum being used by maritime training institutions in the country and ensure that certificates issued to Nigerian seafarers enjoy international recognition.
In his words, “For over 32 years Nigerian training institutions have been operating with obsolete curricula. NIMASA is determined to review the curriculum and benchmark against the very best globally acceptable standard. This is in a quest to ensure that seafarers’ certification in Nigeria enjoys global recognition. ”
The NIMASA DG stressed that effective collaboration between the Agency and MAN, Oron, was critical to the development of training of seafarers in Nigeria.
He reiterated NIMASA’s commitment to supporting the successful training and promotion of Nigerian seafarers through the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, noting that human capital remains one of the most critical components for the development of the country’s Blue Economy.
In his response, the Chairman of the Governing Board of MAN, Oron, Engr. Kehinde Olayinka Akinola, said the Academy was equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and remained one of the leading maritime training institutions in Africa.
While appreciating the management of NIMASA for its continued support to the Academy, the Chairman disclosed that MAN, Oron, has developed a five-year development plan, which includes the acquisition of a training vessel to further enhance practical training for cadets.
He further revealed that the Liberian Maritime Administration and a Liberian maritime training institute, which recently visited the Academy, have expressed interest in collaborating with MAN, Oron, to facilitate opportunities for Nigerian seafarers to undertake sea-time training onboard Liberian-flagged vessels.
The proposed collaboration, he noted, would provide Nigerian cadets with additional opportunities to gain practical experience and strengthen their competitiveness in the global maritime labour market.
Photo caption:
L-R, Board Chairman, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron, Engr. Kehinde Akinola; Director General/CEO, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Mr Jibril Abba and Ag. Rector MAN, Oron, Dr Kelvin Okonna during a working visit by the management of MAN Oron to the NIMASA headquarters in Lagos.
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