By Sandra Chukwunyere
The International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) and the Admiralty University of Nigeria (ADUN) have entered into a strategic technical partnership aimed at strengthening maritime education, professional training, research and capacity development in support of Nigeria’s blue economy.
The partnership was unveiled during the maiden official visit of the IMION management team to the ADUN campus in Ibusa, Delta State, where both institutions explored areas of collaboration and ways to further connect academic knowledge with the practical needs of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
The IMION delegation was led by the Institute’s Director-General, Rear Admiral Thaddeus Christopher Udofia (Rtd), Ph.D., who presented the Institute’s strategic roadmap to the Vice-Chancellor of ADUN, Professor Christopher Bankole Ndubuisi Ogbogbo.
Speaking during the engagement, Rear Admiral Udofia described the partnership as a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s maritime capacity and creating greater opportunities for collaboration between academia, industry and policymakers.
«“This visit marks a new vista in our quest for excellence. We are engineering a powerful synergy to deepen local capacity, shape industry regulations, and unlock the immense potential of Nigeria’s blue economy for national development,” he said.»
The IMION Director-General also commended ADUN for the transformation taking place across its campus, particularly its infrastructural expansion and modernisation, describing the development as remarkable and strategically important to the future of maritime education in Nigeria.
Established by the Nigerian Navy in June 2024, IMION has so far trained more than 500 senior executives and government policymakers through its various professional development programmes.
Under the new partnership, both institutions are expected to introduce specialised executive programmes from September 2026, with emphasis on global maritime knowledge, practical industry experience and the development of professionals capable of responding to emerging challenges in the maritime sector.
As part of the collaboration, IMION has also invited the leadership of ADUN to participate in its Executive Course titled “Logistics and Trade Facilitation for Blue Economy Growth.”
The three-day executive programme is scheduled to hold from September 7 to 9, 2026, at the IMION Auditorium, NNS QUORRA Complex, Apapa, Lagos. The programme will also provide hybrid and virtual participation opportunities for local and international participants.
Responding, Professor Ogbogbo welcomed the IMION delegation and described the partnership as timely, noting that it aligns with the university’s efforts to expand practical learning and strengthen manpower development.
According to him, ADUN stands to benefit significantly from IMION’s practical maritime experience, joint research opportunities and advanced professional development initiatives.
He disclosed that the collaboration would include the engagement of distinguished maritime professionals as adjunct professors and visiting scholars to support teaching, research and knowledge transfer within the university.
Professor Ogbogbo also announced plans for ADUN students studying Naval Architecture to embark on educational visits to shipbuilding facilities in Lagos and Port Harcourt.
The proposed tours are expected to give the students first-hand exposure to shipbuilding operations and enable them to complement classroom learning with practical experience from the industry.
The partnership is expected to strengthen the relationship between maritime academia and industry while contributing to the development of a skilled workforce capable of supporting Nigeria’s maritime sector and blue economy ambitions.
In a press statement signed by Bashir Ambi, FNIPR, FCILT, Ph.D., Head, Communications & Marketing, IMION, the Institute described the partnership as an important step towards strengthening maritime capacity, promoting practical learning and supporting the development of Nigeria’s blue economy.
