President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has applauded academic progress at the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU), pledging continued support to its infrastructural and research growth.
He also tasked the new graduates of the institution to bring their knowledge to bear in development of the nation’s maritime sector.
Speaking in an address on his behalf by Prof. Edoba Omoregie, (SAN), Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Benin, at NMU’s 2nd Convocation ceremony at the weekend at Okerenkoko, Warri South-West Council Area of Delta State, Tinubu, hailed the institution’s focus in promoting values towards sustainable peace and stability of the region.
He charged the graduates to uphold the values of excellence, integrity, and service, and to contribute meaningfully to national development in the maritime sector and other spheres of human endeavor that would enhance the nation’s potentials in terms of revenue generation.
In his opening speech, NMU Vice Chancellor, Professor (Engr.) Emmanuel Adigio, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the recent assent into law the bill establishing the University, noting that by that singular act the Visitor to the institution had demonstrated his deep sense of patriotism and rare commitment to enhancing both educational and technological development of the nation.
He assured that the University would continue to strive harder to ensure it does not disappoint the trust reposed on it by the President for signing the bill into law, adding that it will continue to produce the best trained middle and high level manpower in the industry that would bring innovative ideas to bear in making the sector a viable one towards sustainable development of the nation.
The VC said: “Before proceeding to other details regarding this Ceremony, I would like to use this unique opportunity to inform this Convocation Assembly that the Nigeria Maritime University has come of age. With the recent signing into Law of the Bill establishing this University by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the University is now set for greater achievement.
“In the next few years, the Institution will record phenomenal expansion in its programmes directed at maximising the growth and development-generating potentials of the marine and blue economy. Our greatest gratitude goes to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for putting Nigeria Maritime University on his desk of beneficial attention and focus.”.
“The University’s vision is to be the maritime institution of first choice for all those who seek to make a career in the maritime industry, and to contribute towards the creation of employment and wealth in the global maritime economy. These are some of the characteristic features that make NMU unique amongst other tertiary institutions in Nigeria”.
He added: “There is no gainsaying that, youth restiveness is at its lowest ebb now, and pipeline vandalism has reduced in the Niger Delta region, the hub of exploration of oil and gas activities, thereby helping to boost the economy of the nation”.
“There is no doubt that the establishment of the Nigeria Maritime University in this region has contributed significantly to the peace we now enjoy in our waterways as well as the security and safety of the nation’s oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta”.
On faculties and programmes, Adigio, said the university commenced in 2018 with 13 programmes, warehoused in three (3) Faculties; Faculty of Engineering: Faculty of Environmental Management and Faculty of Transportation, respectively.
“In addition to the foregoing, there is also a Basic Studies Unit which lays the relevant science foundation for the programmes. This Unit is already in the process of becoming a full-fledged Faculty of Science”.
On the Campus structure of the institution, he noted: “At present, the University has a two-campus structure. Although the main campus of the University is at Okerenkoko, academic activities started at the Kurutie Campus, which currently accommodates the Faculty of Engineering, the School of Basic Studies as well as the Central Administration”.
“As a coping strategy, drawn from the inability of the Take-off Campus at Kurutie to accommodate the growing number of staff and students, the University decided to operate a Campus at Okerenkoko with the cooperation of stakeholders, pending the completion of construction work at the Permanent Site at Okerenkoko”
“The Campus at Okerenkoko currently accommodates the Faculties of Transportation and Environmental Management”.
“The nature of its location affords several opportunities, while also precipitating a number of challenges that must be addressed through the deployment of the necessary but limited resources. For example, engineers who are familiar with this environment know that it costs much more to do any construction work here than it is elsewhere on land”.
“This observation applies to all categories of physical development projects, including water and electricity facilities, roads, communication infrastructure, building construction, and so on. However, over the years, the University has tried its best to utilise in the most efficient manner, whatever minimal resources that had been placed at its disposal”.
“Upon coming on board as Vice-Chancellor, the first challenge that I confronted was that of providing water for staff and students in the University, as well as for the community, as the University exists as an integral part of the community where it is located. In order to address this challenge, we revived and took up the management of a water facility in the Kurutie community”.
“As at today, we have improved on the quality and quantity of water supplied from this facility. It is also important to put it on record that a mega water project sponsored by SPDC, is currently being developed for the Campus at Okerenkoko”.
“We have also commissioned the Faculty of Engineering offices and lecture hall building, which were built by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) for the University through its community and corporate social responsibility programmes; a well-furnished mechanical engineering workshop built by TETFund to house all the machines and tools, which were lying outside unused for over a long period of time”.
“We would like to particularly express our gratitude to the Government of Delta State, under the leadership of His Excellency, Rt. Honourable Sherriff Oborevwori, the Executive Governor of Delta State, for building and donating a Faculty Complex to the University, which is already occupied by the Faculty of Environmental Management at Okerenkoko”.
“In addition, a road from the community to the permanent site is also being constructed by the Delta State Government, thus confirming its continuous support for the University.
On accreditation status of academic programmes, he said; “It is gratifying to note that as at the moment, all the thirteen (13) programmes offered in the University have been accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC). Furthermore, the five programmes in Engineering have been accredited by their professional body, the Council for the Registration of Engineers in Nigeria (COREN)
On financial management and practices, he disclosed that they have been able to set up proper and appropriate auditing and procurement systems in the University in order to ensure that the processes of fund use and the procurement of goods, and services, are carried out in line with current best practices in financial management in public tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
In the area of Staff Development and Capacity building, Prof Adigio said; “In the past five years, we have also sustained an efficient staff development programme for academic staff, including capacity building for non-teaching staff, scholarships and financial support for staff attending conferences and workshops at both national and international levels”.
He noted a substantial increase in the provision of accommodation for the students, stating that; “For example, there is now increased hostel accommodation in both campuses, including the commissioning of the 96 bed-space hostel in Kurutie Campus, while a 180 bed-space hostel at the Okerenkoko campus is due for commissioning.
We are also hoping to commission a 250 bed-space hostel at the Kurutie Campus, before the end of my tenure as Vice-Chancellor.”.
The VC however highlighted the shortcomings in the provision of staff accommodation, describing it as a major challenge, said; “At present, the University does not have the financial resources to develop and build residential structures, and we are using this opportunity to call on the Federal Government and other development partners to come to the assistance of the University.
“The provision of residential accommodation would be a key factor in the University’s ability to retain high quality staff in the near future”, he posited.
In the area of Sports Development, he hinted that Sporting activities are an important part of life on campus with dividends that accrue beyond the school years. Scientifically, physical exercise helps the mental and emotional development of the body.
“It is for these all-important justifications that the University is striving to seek ways and means of building sporting facilities in our unique environment”.
While explaining that the students maximize the use of the available sports facilities, such as the swimming pool, basketball pitch, and table tennis boards, he noted that the University’s Gym Building is about being completed, and it is hoped that it would be commissioned sometime in June this year.
“After participating in the status of an Observer at the NUGA games in the last two years, this year, NMU participated fully in the 2025 Federation International Sport Universities, FISU Trials, where they obtained the highest medal haul with ten gold, nine silver and six bronze medals in swimming and taekwondo for the University, therefore, qualifying to represent Nigeria in Germany”.
He explained that the Directorate of Partnerships, Linkages and Collaborations
has midwifed partnerships with more than five international and national organizations. The University recently organised its First International Conference on the Blue Economy in February this year.
“This occasion brought together academics, researchers, and policy makers from Nigeria and the international community to rob minds. A ground-breaking moment during the International Conference was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of research partnership between NMU and Earth Law CenterAfrica (with headquarters in the USA)”.
Commenting on Quality Assurance, Prof Adigio,said the university is becoming synonymous with excellence; even as we remain determined in ensuring the quality of academic programmes for the making of highly skilled and trained graduates that will be self-reliant and ultimately become job creators, especially within the context of the maritime sector.
“In order to nurture a culture of high-quality assurance in all programmes, the University has developed a framework for continuous quality management and control”.
On students performance, the VC noted; “As already indicated, this is a Combined Convocation Ceremony for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions for the 13 academic programmes of the University.
“The total number of students that we are graduating for the two academic sessions is 870. This figure represents about 273% increase over and above the 233 students that we graduated during the Combined Convocation Ceremony for the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 academic sessions, which was held in November 2023. This is one indication of the fact that the University is fast-growing”.
“We must at this juncture congratulate all the students, who, today, have been found worthy to be decorated as graduates of Nigeria’s premier maritime university. To all parents and guardians here present, we also congratulate you and share in your joys on the successful graduation of your children and wards”.
“We would like to assure you that your investment in the education of your children is a beneficial investment, for they have been adequately prepared to go into the world with confidence and new skills for an assured better quality of life, and contribution to the development of their own native land, our dear Nation, Nigeria”, he stated.
