Nigeria’s position as a coastal nation with busy seaports and a thriving oil and gas industry makes maritime education very important. To keep the shipping sector and related industries running, the country needs skilled seafarers, marine engineers, and professionals trained in navigation, safety, and transport management. This is where maritime academies play a vital role.
The most recognised institution is the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron, Akwa Ibom State, established in 1977 with the mandate to train cadets for the merchant navy and other maritime careers.
Over the years, more accredited maritime schools have been approved to expand training opportunities for Nigerians who want to pursue careers at sea or in marine-related industries.
In this guide, you will find a complete list of accredited maritime schools in Nigeria, details of the courses they offer, admission requirements, fees, and what makes each one unique. This will help students and parents make informed decisions about the best path to a successful career in the maritime sector.
What is a Maritime Academy?
A maritime academy is a specialized institution that trains students for careers in the maritime industry. These schools focus on disciplines such as marine engineering, nautical science, navigation, shipping management, and maritime safety.
The training combines theory with practical exposure, including time spent at sea or in simulation environments, to prepare graduates for real-life work on ships, ports, and offshore facilities.
In Nigeria, maritime academies are approved by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Transportation and regulated to ensure that their courses align with international standards, especially the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) requirements and the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW 1978, as amended).
This means graduates from accredited maritime academies in Nigeria can compete globally, not just locally, in fields such as merchant navy service, marine engineering, shipping logistics, and port operations.
The Maritime Academy of Nigeria – Oron
The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, located in Oron, Akwa Ibom State, is the country’s leading institution for maritime education and training. It was established in 1977 under the name Nautical College of Nigeria, with the vision of building a strong foundation for Nigeria’s merchant navy and other maritime sectors.
The Academy officially opened its doors to students in October 1979, starting with just a few programmes. Over time, it expanded its scope and mandate, and by 1988, it became known as the Maritime Academy of Nigeria.
Situated on a 100 hectares of waterfront land along the Cross River Estuary, the Academy has a strategic location that reflects the very essence of maritime learning. Its environment provides direct exposure to the sea, allowing cadets to connect classroom learning with the practical realities of marine life.
In addition to its academic programmes, the Academy runs several short professional courses that are vital for seafarers.
These include training in survival techniques, firefighting, radar operations, global maritime distress systems, and other specialized areas required under the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention.
Each programme is designed to meet global standards and is regularly updated to match the demands of international shipping and marine industries.
Facilities at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron
Facilities at the Academy reflect its mission to deliver world-class training. Cadets benefit from modern full-mission bridge and engine room simulators, a dedicated survival training pool, marine engineering and electronics workshops, science laboratories, and a well-equipped ICT centre.
There are also comprehensive support services including hostels, a medical centre, a regimental unit for discipline, and a central library with both print and digital resources.
One of the Academy’s greatest strengths is its recognition by the International Maritime Organization. Being on the IMO White List signifies that the Academy’s training meets international standards, giving Nigerian cadets the opportunity to compete globally for jobs in the shipping industry, offshore oil and gas, logistics, and port management.
Today, thousands of its graduates work as ship captains, marine engineers, logistics managers, and safety officers both at home and abroad.
List of Maritime Academy in Nigeria and Their Courses
1. Maritime Academy of Nigeria – Oron
STCW Approved Training Courses:
- Elementary First Aid
- Personal Survival Techniques
- Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities
- Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
- Basic Oil & Chemical Tanker Operation Cargo
- Medicare
- Advanced Fire Fighting
- Ship Security Officer
- Port Facility Security Officer
- Security Awareness Training for All Seafarers
- Security Training for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties
- Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat other than Fast Rescue Boat
- Medical First Aid
- Rating Forming Part of Navigational Watch – Preparatory Class
- Rating Forming Part of Engine Watch – Preparatory Class
- Able Seafarer Deck – Preparatory Class
- Able Seafarer Engine – Preparatory Class
Provisional courses
- Boiler Familiarization Course
- Transportation of Dangerous, Hazardous and Harmful Cargo through Sea
- Engine Room Simulator (Operational)
- Engine Room Simulator (Management)
- High Voltage Course
- Liquid Cargo & Ballast Handling Simulator
- Engine Room Watchkeeping Preparatory Course
- Bridge Watchkeeping Preparatory Course
- Global Maritime Distress & Safety System
- Electronic Chart Display & Information System
- Auxiliary Engine Familiarization Course
- Ship Simulation & Bridge Teamwork
- Security Awareness Training for All Port Facility Personnel
- Radar Navigation, Radar Plotting & Use of ARPA
- Company Security Officer
- Marine Environmental Awareness
- Actions to be Taken to Prevent Acts of Piracy and Armed Robbery
- Training Course for Instructors
- International Safety Management (ISM)
Non-Conventional Courses
- River Master
- Quartermaster
- Marine Engineer Assistant (MEA)
- Power Driven Small Crafts (PDSC)
- Coxswain
- Efficient Deckhand (EDH)
Academic Courses Recognized
- Higher National Diploma (Nautical Sciences)
- National Diploma (Nautical Sciences)
- Higher National Diploma (Marine Engineering)
- National Diploma (Marine Engineering)
- Associate Course in Nautical Science (Bridging Course)
- Associate Course in Marine Engineering (Bridging Course)
| Maritime Academy of Nigeria – Oron | |
|---|---|
| Phone | +234-8037263108 |
| maracademy@yahoo.com | |
| Address | Oron, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria |
Other Accredited Maritime Academy in Nigeria
1. Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology
STCW approved training courses are:
- National Diploma in Nautical Sciences
- National Diploma in Marine Engineering
Provisional courses
- Higher National Diploma in Nautical Science
- Higher National Diploma in Marine Engineering
Non-conventional courses:
- Coxswain
- Marine Engineering Assistant (MEA)
| Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology | |
|---|---|
| Phone | +234-8095555316 |
| info@fcfmt.edu.ng | |
| Address | Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria |
2. Charkin Maritime and Offshore Safety Centre
STCW approved training courses are:
- Elementary First Aid
- Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
- Personal Survival Techniques
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
- Advanced Fire Fighting
- Medical First Aid
- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (ROC & GOC)
- Basic Oil & Chemical Tanker Operation
- Bridge Resources Management
- Environmental Awareness
- Ship Security Officers
- Company Security Officers
- Security Awareness Training for All Seafarers
- Security Training for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties
- Port Facility Security Officers
- Non-mandatory but essential ISPS Training for staff involved in ship/port interface, government agencies, and shipping companies
- Dynamic Positioning Courses (Basic & Advanced)
- ECDIS Operational
- Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat other than Fast Rescue Boat
Provisional approval
- Officer in Charge of Navigational Watch (Unlimited) Preparatory Class
- Officer in Charge of Navigational Watch (NCV) Preparatory Class
- Officer in Charge of Engineering Watch (Unlimited) Preparatory Class
- Officer in Charge of Engineering Watch (NCV) Preparatory Class
- Certificate of Competency – Examination Centre
- Free-fall Lifeboat Simulator for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat (PSCRB) and Lifeboat Coxswain Courses
- Twin-fall Lifeboat Simulator for Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat (PSCRB) and Lifeboat Coxswain Courses
- Single-fall Fast Rescue Boat Simulator for Fast Rescue Boat (FRB) Course
- Associate Certificate Course in Marine Engineering (ACME)
- Associate Certificate Course in Nautical Science (ACNS)
- Train-the-Trainer Course for Instructors (IMO Model 6.09)
Non-conventional courses
- Power Driver Small Crafts
- Coxswain
- Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) – Preparatory Class
| Charkin Maritime and Offshore Safety Centre | |
|---|---|
| Phone | +234-8033104647 |
| info@charkincentre.com | |
| Address | Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria |
3. Elkins Marine International
STCW approved training courses are:
- Elementary First Aid
- Personal Survival Techniques
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
- Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
- Basic Oil and Chemical Tanker Operation
- Medicare
- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (ROC & GOC)
- Ship Security Officers Training
- Company Security Officers Training
- Port Facility Security Officers Training
- Security Awareness Training for All Seafarers
- Bridge Resource Management
- Advanced Fire Fighting
- Medical First Aid
- International Safety Management Code
- ECDIS Operational
| Elkins Marine International | |
|---|---|
| Phone | +234-8032172253 |
| hyfyelkins@yahoo.com | |
| Address | Owerri, Imo, Nigeria |
4. Joe Marine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research
STCW approved training courses are:
- Elementary First Aid
- Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
- Personal Survival Techniques
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
- Basic Oil and Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations
- Advanced Fire Fighting
- International Safety Management Code
- Medical Care
- Pre-sea Familiarization
- ARPA/Radar (Support)
- ARPA/Radar (Management)
- Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat
- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GOC)
- Medical First Aid
- Officer in Charge of Navigational Watch (NCV) – Preparatory Class
- Officer in Charge of Engineering Watch (NCV) – Preparatory Class
- Associate Course in Nautical Science
- Associate Course in Marine Engineering
- Rating Forming Part of Navigational Watch – Preparatory Class
- Rating Forming Part of Engineering Watch – Preparatory Class
- Able Seafarer Deck – Preparatory Class
- Able Seafarer Engine – Preparatory Class
Provisional certification
- Bridge Resource Management (BRM)
- Human Element and Leadership Management (HELM) – Management Level
- Human Element and Leadership Management (HELM) – Operational Level
- Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) – Operational Level
- Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) – Management Level
Non-conventional courses are:
- River Master – Preparatory Class
- Quarter Master – Preparatory Class
- Marine Engineer Assistant – Preparatory Class
- Coxswain
- Power Driver Small Crafts
- Ship’s Cook Training
- Steward/Messman Training
- Motorman – Preparatory Class
- Efficient Deck Hand – Preparatory Class
| Joe Marine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research | |
|---|---|
| Phone | +234-8053095168 |
| jmncjoemarine@yahoo.com | |
| Address | Effurun, Warri, Delta State |
5. Coastal Maritime Academy
STCW approved training courses are:
- Elementary First Aid
- Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
- Personal Survival Techniques
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
- International Safety Management (ISM) Code
- Basic Oil and Chemical Tanker Cargo Operation
- Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat (other than Fast Rescue Boat)
- Security Awareness for All Seafarers
- Ship Security Officer
- Company Security Officer
- Port Facility Security Officer
- Marine Catering
- Advanced Fire Fighting
- Medical First Aid
- Rating Forming Part of Navigational Watch – Preparatory Class
- Rating Forming Part of Engineering Watch – Preparatory Class
- Able Seafarer Deck – Preparatory Class
- Able Seafarer Engine – Preparatory Class
- Seafarers Training with Designated Security Duties
- Marine Engineering Assistant – Preparatory Class
Non-conventional courses
- Marine Engineering Assistant – Preparatory Class
| Coastal Maritime Academy | |
|---|---|
| Phone | +234-8037008158 |
| cmalagos@yahoo.com | |
| Address | Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria |
Admission Requirements Across Maritime Academies in Nigeria
Admission into maritime schools in Nigeria is guided by both academic performance and industry-specific conditions. Since these institutions prepare students for demanding careers at sea and in marine industries, candidates are expected to meet minimum educational, physical, and in some cases, regulatory standards. While each school may have slight variations, the following are the general requirements:
Academic Qualifications
- Senior Secondary School Certificate (WAEC, NECO, or equivalent) with at least five credit passes in relevant subjects, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- Core subjects usually include English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Geography or another science-related subject.
- For National Diploma (ND) programmes, candidates must also sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME/JAMB) and meet the cut-off mark set for their chosen course.
Age Requirement
- Most academies expect applicants to be at least 16 years old at the time of admission. Some programmes, especially those that involve sea-time training, may prefer candidates between 16 and 22 years.
Medical Fitness
- Maritime training requires good physical and mental health. Candidates must undergo a medical examination in an accredited hospital to confirm fitness for sea service.
- The medical test usually covers eyesight, hearing, cardiovascular health, and overall physical condition. Good eyesight, in particular, is very important for those applying to Nautical Science and Navigation programmes.
Entrance Examinations and Screening
- Apart from JAMB, most academies conduct their own post-UTME screening or entrance tests, often followed by oral interviews.
- Some schools also assess candidates for discipline, communication skills, and aptitude for maritime studies.
Special Requirements for Higher Programmes
- For Higher National Diploma (HND), candidates must hold a National Diploma in a related field with at least a Lower Credit grade and also provide evidence of one year of industrial training.
- Professional short courses and certificate programmes may have more flexible entry requirements, but participants are usually expected to have some background in maritime operations or related industries.
Regulatory Compliance
- Because maritime careers are governed by international conventions, many academies follow the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) framework. This means that applicants must be prepared to meet both national and international standards during their training.
In short, to gain admission into a maritime academy in Nigeria, you need a solid science background, good health, a qualifying JAMB score, and a willingness to meet the discipline and physical demands of the profession.
Maritime Academy Fees in Nigeria
The cost of maritime training in Nigeria depends on the level of study, type of programme, and additional requirements like accommodation and uniforms.
On average, here is what a student or cadet should expect:
Tuition Fees
- National Diploma (ND) or Higher National Diploma (HND): ₦70,000 – ₦150,000 per session
- Short Professional Courses (STCW, firefighting, safety, radar, etc.): ₦40,000 – ₦75,000 per course
- Certificate of Competency (CoC) Preparatory Courses: ₦120,000 – ₦200,000 (lasting about 6 months)
Accommodation and Feeding
- ₦20,000 – ₦60,000 per session depending on the academy and location.
Uniforms and Cadet Kits
- ₦30,000 – ₦50,000 for complete uniforms, parade kits, and safety gear.
Study Materials and Equipment
- ₦15,000 – ₦40,000 for textbooks, navigational charts, engineering tools, and lab materials.
Medical Tests and Insurance
- ₦10,000 – ₦25,000 for mandatory medical examinations, health checks, and insurance where applicable.
Overall Fees Breakdown
For a typical ND or HND student, the total yearly cost of attending a maritime academy in Nigeria ranges from about ₦150,000 to ₦300,000, depending on the institution, lifestyle, and additional training needs.
For professional short courses, costs are lower but concentrated in shorter durations, ranging from ₦40,000 to ₦200,000.
Top Courses Offered in Nigerian Maritime Academies
Maritime academies in Nigeria are designed to produce skilled professionals who can serve both locally and internationally in the shipping, oil and gas, and logistics industries. The courses offered combine theory with practical training, giving students the chance to learn not only in classrooms but also through simulators, workshops, and sea-time exposure. Below are the main categories of courses you will find across Nigerian maritime schools:
1. Nautical Science
This course trains cadets in navigation, seamanship, and ship handling. Students learn how to manage a vessel safely across different waters, interpret navigational charts, and operate marine communication systems. Graduates often start their careers as deck officers and progress to higher positions such as ship captains.
2. Marine Engineering
Marine Engineering prepares students to become engineers on board ships and in marine workshops. The course covers the operation, maintenance, and repair of ship machinery, engines, and electrical systems. It is a highly technical programme that requires strong grounding in physics and mathematics.
3. Maritime Transport and Business Studies
This course focuses on the business and logistics side of the maritime industry. Students are trained in shipping management, port operations, transport economics, and maritime law. Graduates can work in shipping companies, ports, and logistics firms where they handle planning, documentation, and management roles.
4. Electrical/Electronic Engineering (Marine Focus)
Some academies also run programmes in Electrical and Electronic Engineering tailored for marine environments. Students learn about shipboard electrical systems, navigation electronics, and communication equipment. This makes them valuable in both shipping and offshore oil and gas operations.
5. Fisheries Technology and Oceanography
In addition to core maritime fields, certain academies offer courses in fisheries technology, oceanography, and related marine sciences. These programmes train students to work in marine resource management, aquaculture, and environmental protection.
6. Short Professional and Mandatory STCW Courses
Beyond diploma and degree programmes, maritime academies in Nigeria run short courses that are compulsory for anyone going to sea. These include:
- Basic Safety Training
- Fire Prevention and Firefighting
- Personal Survival Techniques
- Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats
- Radar and ARPA Simulation
- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Training
These short courses usually last from a few days to a few weeks and are essential for obtaining international certifications to work at sea.
Final Thoughts
Across Nigeria’s accredited maritime academies, students can choose between technical programmes like Marine Engineering and Nautical Science, business-focused programmes like Maritime Transport, or specialised short courses for professional certification. This diversity allows young Nigerians to pursue different career paths in shipping, offshore energy, logistics, and marine resource management.
