The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has granted Federal College of Fisheries and Maritime Technology (FCFMT), Lagos accreditation in eight new programmes.

The programmes include ND Mechanical Engineering, HND Marine Engineering, HND Nautical Science, ND Computer Science, ND Hydrology and Water Resources Management, ND Science Laboratory Technology, ND Oceanography and Fisheries Science, and ND Public Administration.

The Provost of FCFMT, Dr. Onuoha Paul Chuks, who disclosed this at the college’s 39th matriculation ceremony, described the development as a milestone. He noted that this move would reduce the number of ND graduates traveling abroad for further studies, thereby easing pressure on scarce foreign exchange.

While welcoming the 900 newly admitted students for the 2024/2025 academic session, Chuks highlighted that this year’s matriculation was historic, coinciding with the institution’s transition to the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the leadership of Minister Adeboyega Oyetola.

The provost also announced that the college has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Lagos and Olusegun Agagu University, Ondo State, for academic and research collaborations leading to the award of degrees in relevant fields.

He said discussions are underway with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to secure approval and recognition for professional certificate programmes.