MOWCA Regional Maritime Capacity Building Initiative: MAN Oron Hosts RMU, ARSTM

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, played host to the Secretary General of the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), Dr. Paul Adalikwu, alongside delegates from the Regional Maritime University (RMU), Ghana, and the Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (ARSTM), in a landmark inaugural exchange visit aimed at strengthening regional maritime education and training.

Welcoming the distinguished guests, Acting Rector of MAN, Dr. Kevin Okonna, described the event as a “great strategic initiative” by MOWCA to foster collaboration among premier Maritime Education and Training Institutions (METIs) in the sub-region. He emphasized that the Academy was honored to be the first host of the exchange program, noting that the initiative aligns with MAN’s strategic development plan to build partnerships both regionally and globally.

Dr. Okonna recalled recent milestones in MAN’s international engagements, including the attendance of RMU’s Vice Chancellor at the Academy’s 2025 Cadets Graduation ceremony—the first of its kind—and ongoing efforts to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both institutions. He also highlighted MAN’s February 2026 visit to Liberia, where discussions with the Liberian Maritime Authority (LiMA) and the Liberian Maritime Training Institute (LMTI) paved the way for a forthcoming MoU between Nigeria and Liberia, with support from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

“These partnerships will advance the quality and capacity of maritime education, training, and certification in the sub-region for global impact,” Dr. Okonna stated. He expressed deep appreciation to Dr. Adalikwu for providing an enlarged platform to build synergy among METIs, enabling knowledge-sharing and resource pooling across West and Central Africa.

The Acting Rector further expressed confidence that the exchange visit through a four day presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions would establish a framework for harmonizing maritime curricula in line with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978 (as amended).

He noted that the initiative would also promote lecturer and student exchanges, socio-cultural integration, industrial growth, and sustainable maritime governance in the region.

The event marks a significant step in MOWCA’s vision to strengthen regional maritime capacity, positioning West and Central Africa as a united front in global maritime education and training.