Akabogu maritime law firm funds ₦450,000 training scholarship for top nautical science graduate
Maureen Aguta
Leading maritime law firm, Akabogu Law, has awarded a ₦450,000 scholarship for further professional studies to Miss Adoga Joyce Ohekwuru, the Best Graduated Maritime Student in Nautical Science, in a move aimed at easing the financial barriers facing outstanding but underfunded maritime graduates.
Miss Adoga, a graduate of Delta State Maritime Polytechnic, completed her National Diploma in Nautical Science in 2023 with Distinction, graduating with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.76. Her academic performance earned her a place among a select group shortlisted for the Best Graduated Maritime Students Award (BEGMASA), organised by Platforms Communications.
She was subsequently invited to the 2025 Annual Maritime Students and Youths (AMSAY) Conference, held in May, where she emerged as the Best Graduated Student in Nautical Science and formally received the award. The conference was chaired by the Senior Partner of Akabogu Law, Dr Emeka Akabogu, SAN.
Discussions at the event highlighted a recurring challenge within the maritime sector: many qualified graduates are unable to proceed to the next stage of their careers due to the high cost of mandatory Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) courses required for professional advancement. Miss Adoga was identified as one of such candidates.
Following the conference, Akabogu Law approved the sponsorship of Miss Adoga’s mandatory professional training as part of the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, which focuses on educational support for high-performing but financially disadvantaged individuals with the potential to impact Nigeria’s maritime industry.
The ₦450,000 scholarship covers a range of compulsory STCW and professional courses, including Elementary First Aid; Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities; Personal Survival Techniques; and Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting. It also extends to Basic Training for Oil and Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations, Medical Care, Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (Other than Fast Rescue Boat), International Safety Management (ISM) Code training, and Security Awareness Training for All Port Facility Personnel.
Miss Adoga has already completed the first batch of the sponsored courses at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, between October and December 2025, and is expected to conclude the remaining modules in the first quarter of 2026.
Presenting the scholarship fund to the beneficiary in Uyo, Dr Akabogu said the firm’s CSR intervention was deliberately targeted at candidates whose academic excellence and personal circumstances align with its commitment to capacity development within the maritime sector.
He urged Miss Adoga to maximise the opportunity and apply herself diligently towards achieving her professional goals.
The Convener of the AMSAY Conference, Mr Sylvanus Obasi, commended Akabogu Law for the intervention, describing it as a meaningful contribution to bridging the gap between academic achievement and professional certification in the maritime industry.
Obasi noted that Miss Adoga’s experience mirrors that of many maritime graduates who, after completing diploma programmes, are unable to progress due to the financial demands of mandatory professional certifications required for sea time and career advancement.
He added that the support extended to Miss Adoga demonstrated the practical impact of the AMSAY Conference as a platform for students to engage industry stakeholders and receive timely support.
In her response, Miss Adoga expressed gratitude to Akabogu Law, describing the scholarship as a critical boost to her professional development. She noted that completing the mandatory STCW certifications is essential to securing sea time placement and launching a maritime career, and pledged to justify the investment through dedication and excellence.
She also advised fellow maritime students to remain focused on academic excellence, professional discipline and constructive engagement with relevant industry platforms.
At the 9th AMSAY Conference, Miss Adoga also received an Award of Academic Excellence from Platforms Communications, alongside a ₦50,000 cash prize sponsored by Capt. Segun Akanbi.
Upon completion of the sponsored training, she is expected to proceed to sea time training before sitting for her Certificate of Competence (COC) examination, a key milestone that would open wider employment opportunities within the maritime sector.