Dr. Kevin Okonna Appointed Acting Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria

Dr. Kevin Okonna has been named acting rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron in Akwa Ibom by the Federal Government.

Dr. Okonna’s appointment follows the resignation of Commodore Duja Effedua (rtd), the academy’s previous rector. The appointment, effective immediately, was announced in a statement issued by the Academy's Head of Public Affairs, Mrs. Domo Umoekpe, in Uyo on Monday.

According to Umoekpe, the appointment was formalized in a letter from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, urging Dr. Okonna to leverage his extensive maritime expertise in his new role.

The minister expressed confidence that the academy would continue contributing significantly to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the ministry's objectives under Dr. Okonna’s leadership.

“Dr. Kevin Okonna is a distinguished maritime scholar with nearly three decades of dedicated service to the Academy. He holds impressive educational and professional credentials from renowned institutions, including the World Maritime University, Malmö, Sweden,” Umoekpe said.

Dr. Okonna’s career at the academy has included several pioneering roles, such as:

• Head of the Maritime Safety Department.
• Director of the defunct MAN Consultancy Services.
• Director of Strategy, Research, and Development.

He is also a distinguished member of the Nautical Institute (NI), UK, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).

Umoekpe highlighted that Dr. Okonna’s significant contributions to the academy's growth and development have prepared him well for this leadership position.