In Nigeria’s bustling maritime sector, a fresh wave of objections has rolled in over renewed talks to convert the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, into a full-fledged university. Stakeholders warn that the move could jeopardise seafarer training, threaten Nigeria’s international standing, and clash with global standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

What the critics are saying

Broad-based concern from AMANO, Master Mariners, MAN Oron lecturers, alumni, and professional groups: Turning MAN Oron into a conventional university under the National Universities Commission (NUC) would drag the school into bureaucratic and academic frameworks ill-suited to maritime training.

The STCW issue: Critics argue the change would pull MAN Oron away from IMO’s Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW), the international benchmark for seafarer certification. They warn that a university structure could compromise the specialized facilities, simulators, and equipment essential for IMO compliance.

Stability vs. disruption: Chief Jonathan Peter Agassi of AMANO stresses that MAN Oron has long been a stable, specialized maritime institution. He fears that becoming a university could invite strikes, politicized appointments, and regulatory constraints that the academy’s maritime-focused mission cannot sustain.

Governance and funding concerns: The Governing Council of MAN Oron reportedly rejected the plan, suggesting that the institution can be upgraded to award degrees without morphing into a full university. Critics contend that NUC oversight and funding models are not designed to support high-cost maritime infrastructures.

International credibility at risk: NAMM and NIWA official Capt. Tajudeen Alao warns that altering MAN Oron’s structure could lead the global maritime community to downgrade the academy, potentially rendering its certificates less marketable abroad. He cautions that deviation from international conventions could leave Nigerian cadets with fewer opportunities internationally.

Identity and purpose: Some MAN Oron faculty members, including Capt. Adewale Ishola of NAMM, warn that a university model could dilute the academy’s core mission: to train professional seafarers with a strong, maritime-specific identity.

Global context

The prevailing view among industry leaders is that maritime academies worldwide tend to award degrees while maintaining specialized status, rather than operating as traditional universities. This approach helps align with IMO standards while preserving the hands-on, technically demanding training that ships’ crews require.

Nigeria’s own parallel example—where a degree can be awarded within a specialized framework—was cited as a model to consider. Critics insist that any shift should preserve the academy’s unique equipment, simulators, and practical training capabilities.

Potential consequences if the plan proceeds

Risk of downgrading Nigeria’s maritime training status in the eyes of international partners.

Possible misalignment with IMO standards, jeopardizing the acceptability of certificates for global seafaring work.

Increased likelihood of funding shortfalls or governance challenges that could erode the academy’s high-tech facilities.

Loss of institutional identity, making it harder to attract top maritime professionals and maintain specialized curricula.

Bottom line
For stakeholders, the question isn’t simply about upgrading to degree-granting status. It’s about preserving a premier, internationally recognized maritime training institution that meets IMO standards while continuing to deliver world-class facilities and hands-on instruction. The prevailing sentiment: any solution should enhance MAN Oron’s capabilities without dissolving its specialized mandate and international credibility.