AMANO Commends Oyetola’s Maritime Reforms, Supports MAN Oron’s Specialised Status

The President of the Alumni of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO), Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa, has praised the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, for his visionary leadership and reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s maritime sector for sustainable growth and global competitiveness.

Maiguwa gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the Minister in Abuja, where he lauded the Ministry’s policy direction and strategic interventions designed to unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.

He highlighted the development of Nigeria’s first-ever National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy as a landmark achievement, noting that it provides a comprehensive framework for sustainable resource management, investment, innovation, and inter-agency collaboration. According to him, the policy will boost investor confidence, strengthen institutional coordination, and position the sector as a key driver of economic diversification, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings.

The AMANO President also commended the institutionalisation of quarterly Stakeholders and Citizens Engagement Summits, describing them as a model of inclusive leadership and transparent governance. He stressed that these engagements have created a platform for government, regulators, operators, investors, and professional bodies to jointly address challenges and advance the sector.

Maiguwa further applauded Oyetola’s commitment to preserving the specialised mandate of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, insisting that the Academy’s integrity must be protected to ensure Nigeria continues to produce globally competitive maritime professionals in line with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions and the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

He announced that AMANO will host its Stakeholders’ Engagement and National Convention in November, bringing together policymakers, regulators, industry operators, and alumni to deliberate on critical issues. He formally invited the Minister to chair the event and deliver the keynote address.

Responding, Dr. Oyetola expressed appreciation for the recognition, describing it as encouragement to sustain ongoing reforms. He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to harnessing Nigeria’s maritime assets in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises diversification, infrastructure development, private sector investment, and inclusive prosperity.

Oyetola outlined reforms to improve ease of doing business, modernise infrastructure, strengthen regulation, and attract investment across shipping, ports, fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal tourism. He assured stakeholders of continued collaboration, emphasising the need for indigenous ship owners to thrive and for Nigeria to emerge as the leading maritime hub in West and Central Africa.

PHOTO: 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.