A university don, Prof. Emmanuel Onwioduokit, has responded to recent remarks made by the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Kehinde Akinola, over the proposed upgrade of the institution into a specialised maritime university, insisting that the transition is both globally supported and economically beneficial to Nigeria.
Onwioduokit described the opposition to the upgrade as being based on assumptions rather than verifiable facts, arguing that global maritime education standards clearly demonstrate that upgrading academies into universities strengthens rather than weakens training systems.
He maintained that concerns that the upgrade would dilute seafarer training are unfounded, noting that leading maritime institutions around the world successfully combine academic degree programmes with rigorous professional training.
He cited examples such as the World Maritime University in Sweden, the Korea Maritime & Ocean University, and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport, all of which operate hybrid systems integrating academic degrees with professional cadet and seafarer training without loss of standards.
According to him, these institutions have not only maintained training quality but have expanded their capacity, international reputation, and relevance within the global maritime industry.
The professor further argued that Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest economy with a vast coastline and strategic presence in the Gulf of Guinea, still lacks sufficient specialised maritime universities, a gap he described as a major institutional weakness in the country’s blue economy development.
He said the absence of such institutions limits Nigeria’s ability to produce a critical mass of maritime professionals, including marine engineers, naval architects, logistics experts, maritime security specialists, and policy researchers needed to drive the sector.
Onwioduokit also noted that the current structure of the Maritime Academy restricts its growth potential, particularly in areas such as degree awarding, postgraduate studies, research funding, and international academic collaboration.
He explained that upgrading the institution into a university would unlock opportunities for accredited degree programmes, expanded research centres, improved access to global funding, advanced laboratories, and stronger partnerships with international maritime bodies.
Addressing concerns over professional certification, he assured that Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) programmes would not be weakened but rather enhanced under a university system, with improved simulators, upgraded facilities, stronger industry linkages, and modernised curricula aligned with global standards.
He added that maritime universities worldwide continue to maintain professional training alongside academic development, ensuring that cadets receive both theoretical and practical expertise at higher levels of competence.
The don also emphasised the economic importance of the proposed upgrade, stating that Nigeria’s blue economy, which includes shipping, logistics, port operations, fisheries, offshore energy, shipbuilding, marine tourism, and maritime security, requires a highly skilled workforce and continuous research innovation.
He said a maritime university would serve as a catalyst for national development by producing skilled manpower, driving innovation, creating employment, attracting international partnerships, and positioning Nigeria as a maritime knowledge hub in Africa.
Onwioduokit stressed that the proposed upgrade should be seen as an evolution rather than a disruption, noting that many globally recognised maritime institutions evolved from academies into universities while retaining and strengthening their core mandates.
He argued that Nigeria’s Maritime Academy already has a strong foundation and international recognition, and that the transition to a university structure would build on these achievements rather than replace them.
He therefore called the upgrade a strategic national investment that aligns with global standards and Nigeria’s long-term economic aspirations, insisting that it is in the country’s best interest to proceed with the transformation.
“The Maritime University is not a disruption but an evolution that strengthens capacity, expands opportunities, and supports Nigeria’s maritime future,” he said.
Earlier, Kehinde Akinola had cautioned against converting the academy into a conventional university, warning that such a move could dilute its specialised training focus, weaken industry linkages, and affect its alignment with international standards such as the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.
He noted that the academy’s strength lies in its hands-on training and global recognition, urging stakeholders to prioritise its existing mandate while considering any transition.
