By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Nigerian LNG Limited (NLNG) and its subsidiary, Nigeria LNG Ship Management Limited (NSML), have offered employment opportunities to 51 graduating cadets of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State.
The employment offer, comprising 30 positions with NLNG and 21 with NSML, was announced on Thursday, October 29, 2026, during the Academy’s Cadets Passing-Out Parade and Graduation Ceremony.
The Managing Director of NSML, Mr Abdulkadir Ahmed, disclosed the development through the Acting Rector of MAN, Dr Kevin Okonna, who announced the offer as part of the highlights of the ceremony.
A total of 314 cadets graduated from the Academy, comprising 260 National Diploma (ND) and 54 Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates.
The academic performance breakdown showed that 37 ND graduates earned distinctions, 110 obtained upper credits, 92 secured lower credits, while 21 graduated with passes. Among the HND graduates, 27 earned distinctions, 24 obtained upper credits and three secured lower credits.
In total, the graduating class recorded 64 distinctions, 134 upper credits, 95 lower credits and 21 passes.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs Fatima Sugra Tania Mahmood, who represented the Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening maritime education and developing a skilled workforce for the industry.
She said Nigeria’s maritime strength depended not only on ships, ports and infrastructure but also on the competence and professionalism of its human resources.
Mahmood stressed the need to connect maritime education with professional certification and employment opportunities. She commended the Academy for its Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW)-compliant curriculum and its ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 21001:2025 certifications.
She urged the graduating cadets to uphold discipline, integrity, technical competence and safety standards while embracing continuous learning and technological developments in the maritime industry.
In his welcome address, the Acting Rector of MAN, Dr Kevin Okonna, said the Academy had continued to strengthen its training programmes, industry partnerships and institutional capacity to produce competent maritime professionals capable of meeting international standards.
He disclosed that since the last graduation ceremony in November 2025, more than 50 cadets had secured placements onboard internationally trading vessels for their mandatory one-year sea service.
According to him, 43 cadets were placed onboard modern NLNG vessels through the Academy’s partnership with NSML, while other placements were facilitated through the Shipowners Association of Nigeria, Starzs Investments Limited, Sea Transport Nigeria Limited, Arion Nigeria Limited and the Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO).
He said reports on the cadets’ performance onboard the vessels had been impressive, ranging from very good to excellent, both professionally and in character.
Okonna further announced that the Academy had concluded arrangements with NSML to sponsor another batch of cadets for sea-time experience onboard NLNG vessels in 2026.
On the Academy’s institutional achievements, he disclosed that it obtained international certifications in ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management Systems and ISO 21001:2025 for Educational Organisations Management Systems from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
He also revealed that, with support from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Academy won a competitive Expression of Interest to partner with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the World Maritime University (WMU) as the focal institution for the Future Ready Shipping (FRS) in Africa Project.
The initiative, he explained, would support an integrated pilot programme for green and digital shipping in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Acting Rector added that the Academy had sustained its partnerships with international professional bodies to ensure that cadets were professionally affiliated and exposed to global industry standards.
He listed the institutions as The Nautical Institute, United Kingdom; the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), United Kingdom; the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT); and the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIOTA).
He said the Nautical Institute, UK, Prize for the Best Graduating Cadet in Nautical Science would be presented during the ceremony.
Okonna also disclosed that the Academy had implemented its newly approved Conditions of Service and organisational structure in line with the directive of its Governing Council, with corresponding improvements in staff welfare.
He said the institution was also transitioning from manual and paper-based administrative processes to a more efficient and secure digital environment through its Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS).
The platform, which was unveiled during the ceremony, is designed to improve administrative efficiency, transparency, accountability and service delivery. The Acting Rector said the initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Academy’s 2026 Performance Bond for Ministerial Deliverables.
Addressing the graduating cadets, Okonna charged them to uphold the reputation of the Academy and demonstrate integrity, discipline and professionalism in their future careers.
He said the institution had provided them with a conducive learning environment, quality education, modern training and practical experience, as well as physical and mental discipline.
“You have been tested by early morning drills, regimental parade and demanding practical exercises. You did not just survive; you excelled,” he told the graduates.
He urged them not to misrepresent the Academy, stressing that a true mariner and maritime professional was defined not only by technical competence but also by integrity and character.
The Acting Rector expressed appreciation to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Oyetola; the Permanent Secretary, Mahmood; and other dignitaries for their support towards the Academy and the development of maritime manpower in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Nigeria Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Dr Pius Akutah, urged the graduating cadets to remain committed to learning, innovation and professional development.
He stressed that graduation should not mark the end of their educational journey, encouraging them to continue acquiring knowledge, develop innovative ideas and apply their skills to address emerging challenges in the maritime industry.
Akutah emphasised the importance of continuous learning in an increasingly technology-driven maritime sector, urging the graduates to position themselves to contribute meaningfully to the development and competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Akwa Ibom State Government, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, NIMASA, NPERA, NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited, security agencies, traditional institutions, professional bodies, maritime industry stakeholders, alumni, parents and other invited guests.
