MARAN Trains 20 Members at Shipping Institute, Pledges Sustained Capacity Building

The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has successfully concluded a professional training programme for 20 of its members at the Chartered Institute of Shipping of Nigeria (CISN), reinforcing its commitment to strengthening maritime journalism through sustained capacity building.

The Graduate Induction Training Programme, which ended on Saturday, October 10, 2026, was designed to deepen participants’ knowledge of shipping operations, port management, and emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s blue economy. Upon completion, participants will earn a Postgraduate Diploma Certificate in Shipping.

The programme covered: Maritime safety and security, Integrated marine environment management, Shipping and port management, Cargo clearance procedures and documentation, and Marine and blue economy opportunities.

Lectures were delivered by CISN experts, including Mr. Patrick Ambakederimo, who emphasised the principles of maritime safety and security, and Mr. Sunday Duru, who highlighted integrated approaches to marine environment management. Sessions addressed risk management, compliance with international standards, pollution prevention, and sustainable coastal development.

Speaking on the initiative, MARAN President Oluyinka Onigbinde stressed that maritime journalism requires more than news gathering — it demands technical competence and a clear grasp of industry policies, regulations, and operations. He noted that well-informed journalists are better positioned to analyse developments, scrutinise decisions, and explain complex maritime issues to the public.

Onigbinde pledged that MARAN will continue to partner with maritime institutions, government agencies, and private operators for specialised training, expose members to emerging trends in shipping, port operations, maritime security, and the blue economy, strengthen the credibility of maritime journalism and enhance public understanding of the sector’s role in national economic development.

This initiative comes at a time when Nigeria is intensifying efforts to improve port competitiveness, enhance maritime security, and unlock the economic potential of its marine resources. By bridging the knowledge gap between journalism and the technical realities of shipping, MARAN is positioning its members to deliver more accurate, balanced, and insightful reports on developments within the maritime sector.