MOWCA Exchange Visit Programme Concludes in Oron with Strong Regional Commitments

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

The closing ceremony of regional maritime training institutions initiated by the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) Exchange Visit Programme at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, marked a significant milestone in regional maritime cooperation. The four-day programme brought together leading maritime institutions from across West and Central Africa to strengthen collaboration in training, certification, and curriculum development.

The programme ended with a communique that underscored the urgency of harmonizing maritime education across the sub-region. Delegations from the Regional Maritime University (RMU), Ghana, and the Académie Régionale des Sciences et Techniques de la Mer (ARSTM), Côte d’Ivoire, joined their Nigerian counterparts in affirming that the future of maritime training in Africa lies in collective action, shared standards, and sustained collaboration.

The communique noted that the four-day programme had provided a rare platform for institutions to exchange ideas, compare curricula, and identify gaps in training that hinder African seafarers from competing globally. It highlighted the need for curriculum harmonisation, faculty and student exchanges, and the establishment of joint certification systems aligned with the STCW Convention (1978, as amended). Participants agreed that without such reforms, the region risks lagging behind in addressing emerging challenges such as digitalisation, decarbonisation, and persistent maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Paul Adalikwu, Secretary-General of MOWCA, reiterated that “no single institution can effectively address emerging maritime challenges in isolation,” stressing that harmonized curricula would not only raise the quality of training but also ensure that African seafarers are internationally competitive. He urged member states to treat maritime education as a strategic investment in regional integration and economic growth.

The Acting Rector of MAN Oron, Dr. Kevin Okonna, described the exchange as a “strategic milestone,” noting that the Academy’s hosting of the programme had demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to regional leadership in maritime education. He expressed optimism that the outcomes would lead to internationally recognized certification systems and stronger partnerships across Africa, positioning the continent as a formidable player in global shipping.

The communique further emphasized the broader impact of the initiative, pointing out that harmonized training standards would open doors for African youths to secure international maritime job placements, while also strengthening intra-African trade under the AfCFTA. It called for sustained collaboration among institutions, regular exchange visits, and the establishment of monitoring mechanisms to ensure that agreed reforms are implemented.

By investing in human capital and fostering regional integration, the Exchange Visit Programme was described as a turning point in Africa’s maritime journey. The closing ceremony concluded with a pledge by participating institutions to sustain dialogue and innovation, ensuring that maritime education in West and Central Africa meets the highest international standards and responds effectively to the demands of a rapidly evolving global shipping industry.