The Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) has received a significant boost for maritime training through a $1.3 million scholarship grant from the Government of Indonesia. This initiative aims to enhance the competencies of seafarers from Nigeria and other MOWCA member states, addressing the need for improved maritime standards in the region.
The scholarship will mainly benefit three key institutions: the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) in Oron, the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Ghana, and the Regional Academy of Science and Technology of the Seas (ARSTM) in Côte d’Ivoire. This collaboration aims to elevate training methods and ensure that certificates of competence (CoC) issued to seafarers align with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW).
MOWCA’s Secretary-General, Dr. Paul Adalikwu, confirmed the arrangement after signing an agreement with Indonesian officials. He noted that a total of 96 participants from the MOWCA region are set to benefit from the scholarships, distributed across two training programs. The first program is a Training of Trainers (TOT) course anchored on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) model course 6.09, which prepares instructors in the maritime field. The second program focuses on the Assessment, Examination, and Certification of Seafarers, based on IMO model course 3.12. This latter course is directed at personnel from maritime administrations and institutions who oversee seafarer certification, as well as officers who conduct onboard assessments.
Both training programs will take place in four batches of 24 participants each, commencing in October and November 2025. Specifically, the first two batches of the TOT will roll out in October and November 2025, followed by the initial two batches of the model course 3.12 training during the same months.
This scholarship initiative not only emphasizes Indonesia’s commitment to international maritime education but also marks a significant step towards raising training standards across West and Central Africa. By enabling more individuals to attain the necessary qualifications and adherence to international standards, MOWCA aims to strengthen the maritime sector within its member states, ultimately enhancing safety and efficiency in regional shipping and operations.
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