By ebosele@hotmail.com
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has commenced plans to review the curriculum for maritime training institutions in Nigeria, with a view to aligning seafarer training and certification with globally accepted 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 stressed the importance of effective collaboration between NIMASA and MAN, Oron, in strengthening the training and development of Nigerian seafarers, noting that human capital remains a critical component of the country’s emerging Blue Economy.
He announced that NIMASA was working on a review of the 2017 Standard Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) curriculum for maritime training institutions across the country.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the review is aimed at ensuring that seafarer certification obtained in Nigeria enjoys greater global recognition and enhances the competitiveness of Nigerian seafarers in the international maritime labour market.
The NIMASA DG further reiterated the Agency’s commitment to supporting the successful training and promotion of Nigerian seafarers through the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron.
He emphasised that developing a skilled workforce was essential to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s maritime sector and Blue Economy.
Responding, 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.
Akinola appreciated NIMASA management for its continued support to the Academy, disclosing that MAN, Oron, had developed a five-year development plan aimed at further strengthening its training capacity.
He said a major component of the plan was the acquisition of a training vessel to enhance practical training for cadets and provide them with greater exposure to real-life maritime operations.
The Chairman also disclosed that the Liberian Maritime Administration and a Liberian maritime training institution, which recently visited the Academy, had expressed interest in collaborating with MAN, Oron.
According to him, the proposed partnership could facilitate opportunities for Nigerian seafarers to undertake sea-time training onboard Liberian-flagged vessels.
He noted that such opportunities would enable Nigerian cadets to gain additional practical experience, improve their professional competence and strengthen their competitiveness in the global maritime labour market.
The proposed collaboration, he added, would complement ongoing efforts by NIMASA and MAN, Oron, to develop a highly skilled Nigerian seafaring workforce capable of meeting international standards.
