Adalikwu drives regional maritime talent push as MOWCA unites training institutions
Maureen Aguta
The Secretary-General of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), Dr. Paul Adalikwu, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to closing the maritime human capital gap across the region, as key training institutions launched a new collaboration framework aimed at strengthening capacity and global competitiveness.
Adalikwu spoke at the opening of a four-day exchange programme involving the Regional Maritime University, the Regional Academy of Marine Sciences and Technology, and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, describing the initiative as a strategic step toward building a unified maritime education ecosystem in West and Central Africa.
He noted that over 90 per cent of the region’s trade is seaborne, yet its ability to maximise the benefits of its maritime domain remains constrained by gaps in skilled manpower.
“The future of our maritime sector depends largely on the quality of human capital we develop,” Adalikwu said, stressing that collaboration among training institutions is critical to addressing emerging industry demands.
He identified key challenges confronting maritime training in the region, including rapid digital transformation, evolving maritime technologies, decarbonisation requirements, environmental compliance, and persistent security concerns in the Gulf of Guinea.
He also pointed to rising global standards in training and certification, noting that harmonised regional efforts would improve recognition of qualifications and unlock employment opportunities for African youths.
According to him, the partnership will facilitate the harmonisation of curricula and training standards, promote faculty and student exchanges, and enable participating institutions to share infrastructure, research outputs, and best practices. It will also support the development of joint certification programmes aligned with international benchmarks, strengthening regional identity in maritime education.
“Ultimately, what we seek to build is not just cooperation, but a cohesive regional maritime knowledge ecosystem,” he said.
Adalikwu added that the initiative aligns with MOWCA’s broader strategic priorities, including developing a skilled maritime workforce, enhancing safe and efficient shipping, deepening regional integration, and supporting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He further disclosed that the collaboration would drive research into alternative marine energy sources and support the establishment of sustainable maritime institutions, including a proposed Regional Maritime Development Bank.
In his remarks, Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Dr. Kevin Okonna, described the exchange programme as a milestone for Nigeria and the region, noting that it builds on existing partnerships.
He recalled that the academy hosted officials from the Regional Maritime University during its 2025 graduation ceremony, where both institutions signed a memorandum of understanding now nearing full implementation. He also highlighted a recent engagement with the Liberian Maritime Administration aimed at enhancing global recognition of certifications issued by regional institutions.
Okonna commended MOWCA’s leadership in advancing the harmonisation of maritime education and expressed confidence that the programme’s technical sessions would deepen knowledge in critical areas such as the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW). He added that the collaboration would foster academic exchange, cultural integration, and greater unity within the region’s maritime ecosystem.
Also speaking, Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Regional Maritime University, Dr. Jethro Brooks, described the initiative as a catalyst for accelerated development, urging institutions across Africa to embrace collaboration over isolation.
“Africa’s challenges are better addressed through shared resources, aligned curricula, and collective action,” he said, affirming the university’s readiness to support the initiative in building globally competitive maritime professionals.
Similarly, Director-General of the Abidjan-based Regional Academy of Marine Sciences and Technology, Colonel Coulibally Kareem, said the platform provides an opportunity to benchmark training curricula and jointly address regional capacity gaps, pledging the academy’s full support.
In his contribution, former Head of the African Section at the International Maritime Organization, Mr. William Azuh, described the engagement as timely and a decisive step toward strengthening maritime training systems across MOWCA member states.
The initiative signals a renewed regional push to align maritime education with global standards, positioning West and Central Africa to better harness opportunities in international shipping and intra-African trade.