Maritime Academy of Nigeria
Encyclopedia
The Maritime Academy of Nigeria is a federally-owned educational institute in Oron
, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
.
Originally called the Nautical College of Nigeria, it was established in 1979 to educate and train shipboard officers, ratings and shore-based management personnel. The first batch of Cadets graduated in 1983.
In 1988 the college's mandate was expanded to training all levels and categories of personnel for all facets of the Nigerian maritime industry.
By the end of 2008, the academy had trained about 4,300 Nigerian Merchant Navy
officers and more than 65,000 other workers in marine operations.
The academy has an active alumni association, helping members to keep in touch and assist each other, as well as promoting improvements to standards for cadet training.
in Cross River State
and about 200 Kilometres from Port Harcourt, Rivers State
.
In April 2003, President Olusegun Obasanjo directed that work should start on construction of a jetty for the academy.
In February 2010 Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) said it had donated N30 million of safety training equipment to the academy.
The equipment included a totally enclosed 50-person lifeboat, a davit-launched rescue boat and a twelve person life-raft. NLNG had previously donated equipment worth over N100 million, and uses Nigerians from the academy for 60% of its crews.
However, graduates of the Maritime Academy do not have access to ocean going vessels for them to earn hours at sea, which is required for their professional qualification.
(NIMASA) has said that 50,000 seafarers are needed for the Nigerian shipping industry to realise its full potential.
As of 2009, Nigeria had less than 3,000 seafarers.
About 2,000 vessels were engaged in cabotage
, or local trade between Nigerian ports, with mostly foreign crews.
Announcing plans to open a new academy at Badagry
, the head of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency said in 2008 that over 3,000 students apply each year for admission to the Oron-based academy but less than 1,000 are accepted.
In October 2009 the academy's rector explained that the academy had to restrict the number of students accepted due to shortage of classrooms and accommodations. He denied bias in admission, and said the academy in fact made it easier for candidates from disadvantaged states to gain admission.
In October 2008 the Minister of State for Transport, Prince John Okechkwu Emeka, said the academy would soon be upgraded to become a degree-awarding institution. He also called for increased funding from the Federal government.
, Ghana
.
Captain Thomas Kemewerighe, a graduate of the academy, said Nigeria does not have people qualified to provide proper training. He said most of the graduates ended up as "okada riders" (motorbike taxi operators).
In September 2009 the government announced that a project launched by the Federal Ministry of Transport, the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme, would send a first batch of 27 students to the Academy of Maritime Education and Training in India to study for Bachelor in Science and Bachelor in Engineering degrees in marine-related subjects. The academy was not considered for this program.
to investigate alleged cases of corruption and financial malpractices at the Academy. They also claimed that 43 students had died in avoidable circumstances in the past year.
Oron, Nigeria
The Oron people are comprised in five Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The Oron are the third largest ethnic group in the state, and Bakassi LGA in Cross River State. The five Local Councils in Akwa Ibom are Oron, Udung-Uko, Mbo, Urue-Offong/Oruko, and Okobo...
, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
.
Originally called the Nautical College of Nigeria, it was established in 1979 to educate and train shipboard officers, ratings and shore-based management personnel. The first batch of Cadets graduated in 1983.
In 1988 the college's mandate was expanded to training all levels and categories of personnel for all facets of the Nigerian maritime industry.
By the end of 2008, the academy had trained about 4,300 Nigerian Merchant Navy
Nigerian Merchant Navy
The Nigerian Merchant Navy consists of ships, their crew and supporting organizations owned by Nigerians and engaged in cabotage and international trade with Nigeria....
officers and more than 65,000 other workers in marine operations.
The academy has an active alumni association, helping members to keep in touch and assist each other, as well as promoting improvements to standards for cadet training.
Facilities
The Academy occupies a large area of land on the waterfront in Oron, close to the Cross River approaches of the Port of CalabarCalabar
Calabar is a city in Cross River State, southeastern Nigeria. The original name for Calabar was Atakpa, from the Jukun language....
in Cross River State
Cross River State
Cross River State is a coastal state in southeastern Nigeria, bordering Cameroon to the east. Its capital is at Calabar, and it is named for the Cross River , which passes through the state...
and about 200 Kilometres from Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Rivers State
Rivers State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria. Its capital is Port Harcourt. It is bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean, to the North by Imo, Abia and Anambra States, to the East by Akwa Ibom State and to the West by Bayelsa and Delta states...
.
In April 2003, President Olusegun Obasanjo directed that work should start on construction of a jetty for the academy.
In February 2010 Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) said it had donated N30 million of safety training equipment to the academy.
The equipment included a totally enclosed 50-person lifeboat, a davit-launched rescue boat and a twelve person life-raft. NLNG had previously donated equipment worth over N100 million, and uses Nigerians from the academy for 60% of its crews.
However, graduates of the Maritime Academy do not have access to ocean going vessels for them to earn hours at sea, which is required for their professional qualification.
Demand and capacity
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety AgencyNigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency , formerly the National Maritime Authority is responsible for regulations related to Nigerian shipping, maritime labor and coastal waters...
(NIMASA) has said that 50,000 seafarers are needed for the Nigerian shipping industry to realise its full potential.
As of 2009, Nigeria had less than 3,000 seafarers.
About 2,000 vessels were engaged in cabotage
Cabotage
Cabotage is the transport of goods or passengers between two points in the same country by a vessel or an aircraft registered in another country. Originally starting with shipping, cabotage now also covers aviation, railways and road transport...
, or local trade between Nigerian ports, with mostly foreign crews.
Announcing plans to open a new academy at Badagry
Badagry
Badagry is a coastal town and Local Government Area in Lagos State, Nigeria. It is situated between Metropolitan Lagos, and the border with Benin at Seme...
, the head of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency said in 2008 that over 3,000 students apply each year for admission to the Oron-based academy but less than 1,000 are accepted.
In October 2009 the academy's rector explained that the academy had to restrict the number of students accepted due to shortage of classrooms and accommodations. He denied bias in admission, and said the academy in fact made it easier for candidates from disadvantaged states to gain admission.
Courses
In April 2008 a delegation from the Norwegian ship owners association visited the academy and discussed a collaborative training programme with the Academy.In October 2008 the Minister of State for Transport, Prince John Okechkwu Emeka, said the academy would soon be upgraded to become a degree-awarding institution. He also called for increased funding from the Federal government.
Quality of training
In May 2009 the academy was subject to severe criticism by the director of Lagos Channel Management. He said that even the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency had found that the academy did not meet international standards. Problems included lack of teaching facilities adequate to handle the number of students, and unavailability of sea faring vessels on which students could complete their mandatory one year sea term. Students seeking proper training had to attend the Regional Maritime University in AccraAccra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
, Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
.
Captain Thomas Kemewerighe, a graduate of the academy, said Nigeria does not have people qualified to provide proper training. He said most of the graduates ended up as "okada riders" (motorbike taxi operators).
In September 2009 the government announced that a project launched by the Federal Ministry of Transport, the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme, would send a first batch of 27 students to the Academy of Maritime Education and Training in India to study for Bachelor in Science and Bachelor in Engineering degrees in marine-related subjects. The academy was not considered for this program.
Other issues
In August 2009 three human rights groups petitioned President Umaru Musa Yar'AduaUmaru Musa Yar'Adua
Umaru Musa Yar'Adua was the President of Nigeria and the 13th Head of State. He served as governor of Katsina State in northern Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 28 May 2007. He was declared the winner of the controversial Nigerian presidential election held on 21 April 2007, and was sworn in on 29 May...
to investigate alleged cases of corruption and financial malpractices at the Academy. They also claimed that 43 students had died in avoidable circumstances in the past year.