The International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) and the Admiralty University of Nigeria (ADUN) have formalised a strategic technical partnership aimed at strengthening professional capacity, research, innovation and practical expertise in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
A statement issued on Saturday by Dr
Bashir Ambi,
Head, Communications & Marketing, IMION, explained that the landmark collaboration was unveiled during IMION’s maiden official visit to the ADUN campus in Ibusa, Delta State, where the two institutions explored ways to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and the practical demands of the maritime industry.
During the visit, the Director-General of IMION, Rear Admiral Thaddeus Christopher Udofia (Rtd), Ph.D., presented the institute’s strategic roadmap to the Vice-Chancellor of ADUN, Professor Christopher Bankole Ndubuisi Ogbogbo.
Rear Admiral Udofia described the partnership as a significant step towards building local capacity and unlocking the economic potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.
“This visit marks a new vista in our quest for excellence,” Udofia said.
He explained that the partnership would create a stronger synergy between the two institutions to deepen local expertise, contribute to industry regulation and position Nigeria to maximise the opportunities presented by the blue economy.
“We are engineering a powerful synergy to deepen local capacity, shape industry regulations, and unlock the immense billion-dollar potential of Nigeria’s blue economy for national development,” he added.
Udofia also commended ADUN for its transformational development, particularly the extensive infrastructural expansion and ongoing modernisation of its campus, which he described as remarkable and strategically important.
Established in June 2024 by the Nigerian Navy, IMION has trained more than 500 C-suite executives and senior government policymakers since its establishment.
Under the new partnership, the institutions will introduce specialised executive programmes aimed at strengthening global maritime knowledge and translating academic learning into practical industry solutions. The first phase of the collaboration is expected to commence in September 2026.
As part of the partnership, IMION has invited the leadership of ADUN to participate in its Executive Course, titled “Logistics and Trade Facilitation for Blue Economy Growth.”
The three-day programme is scheduled for September 7–9, 2026, at the IMION Auditorium, NNS QUORRA Complex, Apapa, Lagos. The programme will also provide hybrid and virtual participation options for local and international participants.
Responding, Professor Ogbogbo welcomed the IMION delegation and described the partnership as timely, noting that it aligns with ADUN’s commitment to manpower development and capacity building.
“This partnership is exceptionally timely,” Ogbogbo said, stressing that ADUN would benefit from IMION’s practical field experience, joint research opportunities and advanced manpower development programmes.
According to him, the collaboration will also facilitate the engagement of distinguished adjunct professors and visiting maritime scholars at the university.
The Vice-Chancellor further disclosed that ADUN students of Naval Architecture would undertake educational tours of shipbuilding facilities in Lagos and Port Harcourt.
The tours, he said, would expose the students to real-world shipbuilding operations and provide first-hand technical experience to complement their classroom training.
The partnership between IMION and ADUN is expected to strengthen the link between maritime education, industry practice and policy development, while supporting Nigeria’s broader efforts to develop indigenous expertise and maximise the opportunities in the maritime and blue economy sectors.
