The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) is partnering the Liberia Maritime Authority, and the Liberia Maritime Training Institute to grow Africa’s maritime economy and education.
Mr Tornorlah Varpilah, the Board Chairman, Liberian Maritime Authority, stated this at a reciprocal visit to MAN in Oron, Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday.
Varpilah said that the visit was to exchange knowledge that would promote the growth of Africa’s blue economy and maritime education.
He said that Nigeria had the resources and capacity to invest in the maritime sector for sustainable blue economy development.
The board chairman expressed delight at the level of facilities at the nation’s premier maritime academy.
Varpilah commended the Federal Government for investing in the maritime sector, saying that the gesture would grow the blue economy.
He said that Nigeria’s partnership with Liberia’s maritime sector would promote development in the two countries and the African region.
“We are here to promote the African region. Nigeria is rich, they have enough capital for investment. We are committed to this partnership.
“We want to ensure that we share our vision together and work together to overcome maritime challenges facing Africa,” he said.
He said that the maritime academy was capable of growing the manpower base for the African blue economy.
Mr Kehinde Akinola, the Board Chairman, MAN, described the Liberian maritime sector delegation visit as not only reciprocal but timely.
“We visited Liberia in 2025, we used the visit to initiate this partnership deal. It will enhance collaboration between the two institutions,” he said.
He said that the visit reaffirmed the historic bonds between Nigeria and Liberia, adding that the two countries have a shared maritime heritage.
“We also have a common interest in a safe, secure and prosperous maritime sector in the Gulf of Guinea.
“Your presence is a reflection of the growing relationship between our institutions to strengthen maritime education, training and human-capacity development in West Africa.
“Liberia has a significant presence in global shipping, particularly through its internationally recognised ship registry, while Nigeria has one of Africa’s largest and most diversified maritime economies,” he said.
The Acting Rector, MAN, Dr Kevin Okonna, said that key areas of the partnership were training of cadets, exchange of academic programmes, exchange of lecturers and deployment of trained cadets.
Okonna said that the visit would build partnership, share resources, exchange blue economy expertise, and promote recognition of seafarers certification.
“It will also help to train Liberian seafarers in Nigeria, and have Nigerian cadets to train or work onboard Liberian flagged vessels,” he said.
Okonna said that all programmes of the academy had been approved in line with IMO Standards of Training Certification and Watch keeping.
