The Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) has secured a $1.3 million scholarship grant from the Government of Indonesia to train seafarers from Nigeria and other member states in the sub-region.

The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron, as well as MOWCA’s two academic institutions, the Regional Maritime University (RMU), Ghana and the Regional Academy of Science and Technology of the Seas (ARSTM), Côte d’Ivoire, are also scheduled to benefit from the opportunity.

Secretary-General of MOWCA, Dr Paul Adalikwu, confirmed this development after signing an agreement with Indonesian authorities. He explained that the initiative aims to ensure that certificates of competence (CoC) issued to seafarers in West and Central Africa comply with the provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW).

According to him, 96 participants from the region will benefit from the scholarship through two separate training programmes, with slots distributed among MOWCA member states.

Adalikwu explained that the first course is a Training of Trainers (TOT) programme based on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) model course 6.09, which focuses on preparing instructors in the maritime sector. He said the second programme is a course on the Assessment, Examination and Certification of Seafarers, anchored on IMO model course 3.12.

The MOWCA boss stated that this training is designed for personnel from maritime administrations and training institutions responsible for seafarers’ certification, as well as officers involved in onboard assessments.

Providing a breakdown of the schedule, Adalikwu said both programmes would be delivered in four batches of 24 participants each. He said the TOT programme for batches one and two will hold in October and November 2025, while the model course 3.12 training for batches one and two will also run between October and November 2025.