Alumni of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, have cautioned that converting the institution into a conventional university could undermine the specialised skills critical for Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
Speaking in a virtual interview, AMANO President Emmanuel Maiguwa said the push by the Oron community risks compromising professionalism, stressing that the success of the blue economy depends on competent manpower, which is already limited. He reaffirmed the alumni’s support for the academy’s Governing Council in its rejection of the conversion.
Maiguwa argued that prioritising a conventional university for local development could conflict with national interests, potentially creating skill gaps that would affect the broader economy. He called for decisive action from the federal government to clarify the academy’s future and correct distortions caused by previous legislative attempts.
He added that while community engagement and sensitisation remain important, government leadership is crucial to resolving the issue.
“Government cannot sit on the sidelines while people like us from the private sector are always shouting about what needs to be done when we are powerless in actually executing anything,” Maiguwa said.
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