FG affirms support for globally certified academy

The Federal Government has lauded the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, in Akwa Ibom State, over its global certification by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, pledging to continue to support initiatives that strengthen institutional standards and promote competitiveness.

The academy on Tuesday gained global recognition with the official presentation of the integrated management system certification: ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 21001:2025.

Speaking during the presentation ceremony at the academy’s auditorium, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, described the feat as not merely procedural, but a demonstration of the Academy’s commitment to excellence, quality assurance and environmental sustainability.

Represented by a deputy director in the ministry, Mr John Ogwuche, Oyetola said the certification is a reflection of the institution’s adherence to internationally recognised best practices and a strong culture of continuous improvement, accountability and operational efficiency.

“This certification, facilitated by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, underscores the Academy’s adherence to internationally recognised standards and best practices. It reflects a strong culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational efficiency-qualities that are indispensable in today’s highly competitive and safety-conscious maritime industry

“The Ministry will continue to support initiatives that strengthen institutional standards and promote global competitiveness,” the minister added.

He acknowledged SON for its unwavering dedication to the promotion of standardisation, while also urging the Academy not to regard it as an end in itself.

Presenting the certificates, the Director-General of the SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, said the certification is a demonstration of the Academy’s commitment to quality and operational efficiency.

Okeke said, “The successful certification of the Academy to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 21001:2025 standards is a strong indication of management’s commitment to quality, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, educational excellence, and continual improvement.

“The ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Standard provides a globally accepted framework for improving organisational processes, strengthening operational control, and enhancing risk-based thinking. promoting evidence-based decision making, and ensuring customer satisfaction.

“The implementation of this standard will further strengthen the Academy’s administrative processes and institutional governance. training delivery systems, and service efficiency.”

Earlier, the acting Rector of the Academy, Dr Kevin Okonna, stated that the institution could no longer satisfy relevant international standards, its statutory mandates and customers’ requirements without the certification of its quality Standards Systems.

He said one of the core mandates of the Academy is to admit and train the various levels of personnel required for running and operating the ships of the merchant navy, noting that the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers 1978 (as amended) requires that such training process must be monitored continuously through a Quality Standard System to ensure that objectives are met.

In recognition of the need, the Rector disclosed that the Academy established a Quality Standard Assurance Department, and engaged the services of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria for training and certification of many of its staff in Quality Management Systems, adding that the knowledge gained was used to establish a Quality Management System for its operations.