Plans to establish Maritime University of Nigeria suffers setback

After debate on the motion, most of the senators asked for an upgrade of the Maritime Academy Akwa Ibom, rather than invest in another institution.

The Nigerian senate has stepped down on a bill which was seeking to establish the Maritime University of Nigeria.
According to the sponsor of the bill, Senator James Manager, establishment of an institution like that will bridge the manpower gap experienced in the maritime sector for skilled personnel.

“The sector is dominate today by foreign interests. The very few professionals were trained abroad.

“The question is; why do we not have a university for that purpose?

“This bill provides the requisite opportunity and the enactment of this bill will help in transforming the educational fortunes in Nigeria and in producing the desire manpower and expertise now that Nigeria is yearning for local content in the industry following the passage of Local Content Development Act into law,” he stressed while speaking to his colleagues in his senate house.

Nelson Effiong, Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in his contribution, reminded the floor that the Maritime Academy at Oron which situates in his Senatorial District that have trained Seafarers in the last 30 years of its existence was approved by former President, Goodluck Jonathan and that it has since been with the National Universities Commission.

After debate on the motion, most of the senators asked for an upgrade of the Maritime Academy Akwa Ibom, rather than invest in another institution.

When it became obvious that the bill had suffered Setback, James Manager withdrew the bill, promising that it will be represented at the appropriate time.