The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Dr Pius Akutah, has announced plans to introduce an Award of Honesty for three cadets of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, annually, beginning from 2027.
Akutah said the initiative was aimed at promoting integrity, ethical conduct and professionalism among future maritime practitioners.
He made the announcement while delivering his goodwill message at the Academy’s 2026 Cadets’ Graduation Ceremony, on Thursday where he congratulated the graduating cadets on successfully completing their academic training.
The NPERA boss described graduation as the beginning of a new phase of professional development, offering opportunities for career advancement, practical experience and meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s maritime industry.
He encouraged the graduates to approach their careers with dedication, discipline and a commitment to continuous learning as they transition from academic training into professional practice.
He stressed that professional competence must be complemented by integrity and responsible conduct to build a credible maritime industry and sustain public confidence in the sector.
According to him, the proposed Award of Honesty would promote a culture of integrity among young maritime professionals and reinforce the ethical values required for responsible leadership and professional excellence.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening maritime education, professional certification and sea-time training.
Oyetola, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Fatima Sugra Mahmood, at the ceremony, also called for stronger collaboration between maritime training institutions and industry operators to prepare graduates for the demands of the maritime industry.
He emphasised the importance of equipping maritime graduates with the requisite professional qualifications, practical experience and industry-relevant skills to enhance their employability and effective participation in the sector.
The Minister also highlighted the need for closer collaboration between maritime training institutions and industry operators to bridge the gap between academic training and professional practice, thereby strengthening the capacity of Nigeria’s maritime workforce.
The ceremony also featured the formal launch of the Academy’s Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS), an initiative designed to improve administrative efficiency, transparency and accountability in the institution’s operations.
The Academy graduated 314 cadets from its National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes.
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