FCFMT, MARCON deepen ties to boost maritime, fisheries reporting
Maureen Aguta
The Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology (FCFMT), Lagos, and the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) have moved to forge a closer working relationship aimed at strengthening media coverage of Nigeria’s maritime, fisheries and blue economy sectors.
The commitment followed a recent courtesy visit by the executive members of MARCON to FCFMT, where both organisations explored areas of collaboration and agreed on the need for sustained engagement between the maritime media and the foremost institution for fisheries and marine technology education.
The MARCON delegation was received by the Deputy Provost (Academics), Dr. (Mrs.) Adebowale Aderonke, who represented the Provost, Dr. Chuks Paul Onuoha.
Speaking during the visit, MARCON President, Ismail Aniemu, described FCFMT as a strategic institution in Nigeria’s maritime and fisheries development, particularly because of its role in producing skilled manpower for the sector.
Aniemu said closer interaction between MARCON and the college would enable maritime journalists to gain deeper insight into FCFMT’s academic programmes, research, training and other contributions to national development.
According to him, stronger media engagement would also provide the college with a wider platform to showcase its achievements and communicate its contribution to the development of Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy.
He stressed that informed and specialised journalism was critical to promoting public understanding of fisheries, maritime education, marine resources, manpower development and other issues shaping the future of the sector.
The MARCON president also reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to using professional journalism to draw greater attention to Nigeria’s vast marine resources, coastal economy and the opportunities embedded in the blue economy.
Responding, Aderonke, who spoke on behalf of the Provost, welcomed the initiative and expressed the college’s readiness to deepen its relationship with MARCON and other stakeholders in the maritime industry.
She noted that stronger collaboration with the maritime media would enhance public awareness of the institution’s activities while promoting greater understanding of the fisheries and marine technology sub-sector.
As part of the emerging partnership, FCFMT agreed to participate in MARCON’s forthcoming conference on sustainable fishing in Nigeria, scheduled to hold in Lagos on September 30, 2026.
Both organisations expressed optimism that sustained engagement would strengthen information flow between the college and the maritime media, improve sectoral reporting and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s fisheries, maritime education and wider blue economy.