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Acting Rector says all cadets are registered with recognised international professional bodies.
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314 cadets graduate, comprising 260 National Diploma and 54 Higher National Diploma holders.
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Over 50 cadets secure placements on international training ships for mandatory sea service.
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Academy secures ISO certifications and partnership opportunities with the IMO and World Maritime University.
October 30, (THEWILL) – The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom State, has sustained partnerships with international professional bodies to ensure that its cadets obtain professional registration with recognised institutions, strengthening their credentials and opportunities in the global maritime industry.
The Acting Rector of the Academy, Dr Kelvin Okonna, disclosed this yesterday during the institution’s 2026 graduation ceremony, where 314 cadets received National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) certificates.
Okonna said the initiative was aimed at exposing cadets to internationally recognised professional standards and positioning them for opportunities within and outside Nigeria.
He disclosed that every cadet of the institution was registered with at least one of the recognised professional bodies, including the London Institute, United Kingdom; Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology; Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport; and Chartered Institute of Transport Administration.
The Acting Rector said the London Institute would also present its prize for the Best Graduating Cadet in Honourable Assignments at the ceremony.
He said the Academy’s commitment to international standards was further demonstrated by its acquisition of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System and ISO 21001:2025 Educational Organisations Management System certifications from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria earlier in the year.
Okonna further disclosed that the Academy, with support from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), had won a competitive expression-of-interest process to partner with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the World Maritime University on a project supporting green and digital shipping in sub-Saharan Africa.
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On practical training opportunities, the Acting Rector said more than 50 cadets had secured placements aboard international training ships since the last graduation ceremony in November 2025, including 43 cadets undertaking their mandatory one-year sea service.
He added that 51 graduating cadets would benefit from sponsored Cadet Training Experience aboard NLNG vessels through the Academy’s partnership with Nigeria LNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML).
Okonna attributed the opportunities to collaborations with NSML, the Shipowners Association of Nigeria, Stats Investment Limited, Sea Transport Nigeria Limited, Aereo Nigeria Limited and the Academy’s alumni.
He said reports on the performance of cadets undergoing onboard training had been encouraging, with their professional competence and conduct rated between very good and excellent.
The Acting Rector also disclosed that the Academy had implemented its newly approved conditions of service and organisational structure, while preparing to introduce an Enterprise Content Management System to replace its manual, paper-based administrative processes.
Congratulating the graduating cadets, Okonna urged them to uphold integrity, discipline and professionalism, stressing that success in the maritime industry required more than technical competence.
He charged them to protect the reputation of the institution and distinguish themselves through exemplary character in their professional engagements.
