LAGOS, SEPT 10, 2026— The Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Dr. Kevin Okonna, has said Nigeria’s ambition to have world-class ports will fail without investment in the people who will run them.
Speaking at the 2026 Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria, MARAN, Annual Lecture, MAMAL, held Thursday at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, Okonna who was represented by the academy’image manager, Domo Umoekpe 
said port competitiveness goes beyond concrete and cranes.
The theme of the lecture was: “Nigerian Ports Modernisation, Charges and the Competitiveness Question.”
“It is a pleasure to be part of this important gathering, convened to deliberate on a subject that is central to Nigeria’s maritime future,” Okonna said on behalf of the Management, Staff and Cadets of MAN.
“Modern Ports Need Modern People”
According to the Rector, the competitiveness of Nigeria’s ports is fundamentally about efficiency, innovation, safety, technology, regulation — and most importantly, the quality of human capital driving the sector.
“A modern port requires modern infrastructure, and competent professionals who can operate, manage and sustain the infrastructure to international standards,” he stated.
Okonna said the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, as the country’s foremost maritime training institution, is already aligning with that reality.
The Academy, he noted, has continued to invest in modern training infrastructure, advanced simulators, practical training facilities and improved learning environments. It is also strengthening partnerships within and outside Nigeria.
“As we discuss port modernisation and competitiveness, we must recognise that our future ports will be driven by both technology and people,” he said.
He added that MAN’s simulation facilities, specialised seafarers training centre, marine engineering workshops and other practical training infrastructure are designed to equip cadets and professionals with competencies relevant to both Nigerian and global maritime markets.
Backing the Blue Economy Agenda
Okonna linked the conversation to the Federal Government’s renewed push for the Marine and Blue Economy, which aims to position Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in Africa.
“For this vision to become a sustainable reality, our ports must be competitive, our maritime institutions must be strengthened, and our people must be equipped to take full advantage of the opportunities within the sector,” he said.
He commended MARAN for providing a platform for stakeholders to engage on critical issues affecting the industry, and expressed confidence that the discussions would produce practical recommendations to modernise ports and strengthen Nigeria’s place in the global maritime economy.
“We at the Academy are proud to be part of this national effort,” Okonna said. “Let us continue to work together to build a maritime sector that is efficient, competitive and globally respected.”
The lecture brought together regulators, terminal operators, shipping lines, and other maritime stakeholders to chart a path for making Nigerian ports faster, cheaper, and more competitive.
