MAN Oron Records Another Historic First

Hosts MOWCA Maritime Institutions

…As Adalikwu Pushes for Common Frontier in Capacity Development

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron on Monday, May 4, 2026, achieved another historic milestone as it hosted the inaugural exchange visit of the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) and delegates from leading maritime education and training institutions across the sub-region.

The event, led by MOWCA Secretary General, Dr. Paul Adalikwu, marked the beginning of a structured framework for collaboration aimed at deepening institutional capacity, harmonizing maritime education, and strengthening regional partnerships.

In his welcome address, Acting Rector of MAN, Dr. Kevin Okonna, described the occasion as a landmark in the Academy’s pursuit of global relevance. He emphasized that hosting the first exchange visit was not only an honour but also a validation of MAN’s strategic development plan, which prioritizes partnerships with regional and international maritime institutions.

Dr. Okonna recalled recent collaborative strides, including the Academy’s engagement with the Regional Maritime University (RMU), Ghana, during the 2025 cadets’ graduation ceremony, and its February 2026 visit to the Liberian Maritime Authority (LiMA) and the Liberian Maritime Training Institute (LMTI). He noted that these efforts, alongside ongoing work with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), are geared toward finalizing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that will elevate the quality of maritime education, training, and certification across the region.

His words: “The Exchange Visit is a great strategic initiative of MOWCA to establish a framework for partnership and collaboration amongst premier maritime institutions in the sub-region.

“It aligns perfectly with our vision to build synergy, harmonize curricula in line with international conventions, and promote lecturer and student exchanges that will ultimately drive sustainable maritime governance in West and Central Africa”, he said.

Speaking at the event, MOWCA Secretary General, Dr. Paul Adalikwu, underscored the importance of collective action in advancing maritime education and capacity development. He stressed that the maritime sector in West and Central Africa must move beyond isolated national efforts to embrace a common frontier that leverages shared resources, expertise, and institutional strengths.

Dr. Adalikwu highlighted the critical role of harmonized training standards under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), noting that regional cooperation would ensure that cadets and professionals from member states are globally competitive.

He further emphasized that exchange programmes, joint research, and collaborative governance frameworks would not only strengthen maritime institutions but also contribute to socio-economic growth and industrial development across the sub-region.

“This initiative is about building bridges—between institutions, between nations, and between generations of maritime professionals. By working together, we can create a robust maritime education system that supports sustainable development and positions our region as a formidable player in global shipping and blue economy governance”, he declared.The event drew participation from critical stakeholders, including officials of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, NIMASA, RMU Accra, and the Académie Régionale des Sciences et Techniques de la Mer (ARSTM), among others. Through presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, delegates explored pathways for harmonizing curricula, fostering lecturer and student exchanges, and strengthening institutional frameworks for maritime governance. Among regional officials present at the meeting is the Acting Vice Chancellor of the Regional Maritime University, Dr. Jethro Brooks, who described the cooperation as a catalysts for accelerated development, urging the regional and continental institutions  not to seek expansion and capacity in silos but through collaboration.

In the same vein, Director-General of the Abidjan-based Regional Academy of Marine Sciences and Technology, Colonel Coulibally Kareem, said the platform provides an opportunity to benchmark training curricula and jointly address regional capacity gaps, pledging the academy’s full support.

Facilitator of the programme and former Head of the African Section at the International Maritime Organization, Mr. William Azuh, described the engagement as timely and a decisive step toward strengthening maritime training systems across MOWCA member states.

While the initiative signals a renewed regional push to align maritime education with global standards, positioning West and Central Africa to better harness opportunities in international shipping and intra-African trade, the inaugural exchange visit at MAN Oron sets the tone for a new era of regional collaboration. With MOWCA providing the enlarged platform and MAN serving as the pioneer host, the initiative is expected to catalyze long-term partnerships that will transform maritime education and training in West and Central Africa.

All the submissions resonate with Dr. Okonna conclusion: “This meeting is not just about today’s deliberations—it is about laying the foundation for a future where our institutions work hand in hand to achieve global impact.”

According to the organizers, the exchange visit is designed to last through May 8, 2026; while today’s engagement merely served as the opening programme. Also present at the event is the Secretary General of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding otherwise known as Abuja MoU, Captain Sunday Umoren, President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners, Captain Tajudeen Alao; Engr. Abel Obada, Chairman of Marine Surveyors Association of Nigerian; all of whose interventions aligned with the power of collaboration in raising the bar in African maritime training and development.