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The Alumni of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO), has encouraged President Bola Tinubu to retain the specialised structure for MAN Oron.
AMANO made this appeal in an open letter addressed to President Tinubu, stressing that MAN Oron is a strategically vital institution built to deliver specialised training in accordance with global maritime standards.
While expressing deep appreciation to the Presidency for the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the recent signing of Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy Policy, the group noted her concern for the future of Nigeria’s maritime training architecture.
Part of the open letter read: “MAN Oron is a strategically vital institution, purpose-built to deliver specialised training in accordance with global maritime standards. For decades, it has equipped Nigeria’s seafarers, marine engineers, and navigators with the competencies required to serve our nation and compete internationally.
“We respectfully express concern over the proposed conversion of the Academy into a conventional university under the Ministry of Education. This move, while perhaps well-intentioned, poses significant risks including; loss of international accreditation particularly the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention.”
AMANO also warned that the Academy is at risk of diluting its quality as well as reducing global competitiveness.
“In alignment with Your Excellency’s vision for a thriving marine and blue economy, we respectfully urge a retention under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy: This ensures training remains aligned with sectoral needs, policy direction, and maritime strategy.
“MAN Oron should continue to operate within the STCW framework, supervised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and focused on producing world-class seafarers and maritime professionals.
“Degree programmes should reflect the specific manpower needs of the maritime sector, with appropriate academic partnerships and frameworks, as practised in the Nigerian Defence Academy model.
“We note that Nigeria already hosts a Maritime University in Okerenkoko. While commendable, it has experienced challenges linked to operating outside the direct oversight of the sector-specific ministry. Additionally, several conventional universities already run maritime-related degree programmes under the Ministry of Education,” the group said in the letter signed by its President, Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa.
