Senator Eshilokun, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, has described the maritime sector as a critical asset for the development of the economy and the generation of employment opportunities.
He made this remark during the committee’s oversight visit to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron.
The Chairman led members of the committee to the academy to assess the state of its infrastructure and verify its suitability for educational purposes.
“We are here to witness the strides you have made, understand the challenges you face, and collaborate in shaping the future of maritime education in Nigeria. The Maritime Sector is not just a backbone for trade and development—it is a catalyst for innovation, employment, and national prosperity,” Mr Eshilokun said.
He commended the Acting Rector, Kevin Okonna, for the high standard of infrastructure observed during the visit, describing it as a strategic national asset of international standard, suitable for the education of seafarers and other maritime courses.
“This visit offered us an opportunity to assess the professional infrastructure and academic capacity of the academy, and more importantly, its teaching and learning. This institution is not just a citadel of learning—it is a strategic asset for Nigeria’s drive toward economic emancipation and maritime development,” he added.
Addressing cadets and management staff after touring the facilities, the Senate committee chairman commended the academy’s state-of-the-art simulators. He urged the cadets to remain committed to their training, noting that they are the country’s future captains, transport technocrats, and ship administrators.
He further emphasized that Nigeria was moving toward becoming a maritime hub, supported by the federal government’s commitment to investing in the Marine and Blue Economy.
