AMANO Applauds Oyetola’s Maritime Reforms, Seeks Protection of MAN Oron’s Specialised Status
Oru Leonard
The Alumni of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO), has commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his leadership in driving reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s maritime sector, while also urging the Federal Government to preserve the specialised status of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron.
The President of AMANO, Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa, made the remarks during a courtesy visit by the association’s executive committee to the Minister in Abuja, where he praised the Ministry’s policy direction and strategic initiatives designed to unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
Maiguwa described the development and adoption of Nigeria’s first National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy as a landmark achievement that provides a comprehensive framework for the sustainable management, regulation and development of the country’s marine resources.
According to him, the policy establishes a clear roadmap for investment, environmental sustainability, innovation, capacity development and stronger collaboration among stakeholders, while positioning the marine and blue economy as a major driver of economic diversification, job creation and foreign exchange earnings.
He also applauded the Ministry’s quarterly Stakeholders and Citizens Engagement Summit, saying the initiative has strengthened dialogue between government, regulators, industry operators, investors, professional bodies and labour unions, thereby promoting inclusive governance and practical solutions to challenges facing the maritime sector.
The AMANO President further expressed support for the Minister’s commitment to preserving the professional identity and specialised mandate of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, stressing that the institution remains critical to producing internationally certified maritime professionals.
“We are concerned about preserving professionalism and ensuring Nigeria maintains a steady supply of competent maritime manpower. Because our members work across the industry—locally and internationally—we understand the system deeply. That is why we are insisting that nothing should be allowed to undermine the Academy’s core mandate,” Maiguwa said.
He also announced that AMANO would host its Stakeholders’ Engagement and National Convention in November, bringing together policymakers, regulators, maritime professionals, industry operators, development partners and alumni to discuss strategies for advancing the sector.
Maiguwa formally invited the Minister to chair the event and deliver the keynote address, expressing confidence that his participation would enrich discussions on the future of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
Responding, Oyetola thanked the association for its recognition and support, describing the commendation as an encouragement to sustain the Ministry’s reform agenda.
The Minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to unlocking Nigeria’s maritime potential in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on economic diversification, infrastructure development, private sector investment and job creation.
He said the Ministry is implementing reforms to improve the ease of doing business, modernise maritime infrastructure, strengthen regulatory efficiency, deepen local content participation and attract greater domestic and foreign investment into shipping, ports, fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism and other blue economy value chains.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda provides a clear direction for unlocking the enormous potential of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy as a major driver of sustainable economic growth. Our responsibility is to ensure that the sector contributes meaningfully to national development by creating jobs, expanding opportunities for young Nigerians, improving efficiency across our maritime institutions and positioning Nigeria as the leading maritime hub in West and Central Africa,” Oyetola stated.
The Minister also assured indigenous ship owners of the Ministry’s continued support through policies aimed at strengthening local shipping capacity and creating a more enabling operating environment.
He added that sustained consultation and collaboration with stakeholders would remain central to achieving lasting reforms and fully harnessing Nigeria’s vast marine and blue economy resources.
Cover Photo Caption: Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola (centre), flanked (left to right) by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Marine and Blue Economy, Prof. Busayo Fakinlede; Public Relations Officer of the Alumni of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO), Oamien Ailemen; AMANO Vice President, Koni Duniya; AMANO President, Emmanuel Maiguwa; AMANO Welfare Officer, Dimka Orit; and the Minister’s Special Adviser, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, during a courtesy visit by the AMANO executive members to the Minister at his office in Abuja on Wednesday.
