Introduction to Maritime Academy Reforms
The Federal Government has urged the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, to embrace reforms that would enhance performance and accountability in the academy. Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, gave the charge on Thursday in his remarks at a two-day Management Retreat in Oron.
Purpose of the Retreat
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat is on Ministerial Handholding Session for Performance Management System (PMS) and the Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS). Oyetola, represented by Hajia Ibrahim Kalthum, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS) in the ministry, said that the retreat aimed at driving a successful implementation of the PMS and ECMS in the academy.
Objectives of the Reforms
He said that the ministry embarked on the reforms to strengthen performance, as well as promote accountability and digital transformation across all its agencies in line with the strategic vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. “The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, as Nigeria’s foremost maritime education and training institution, must lead by example in embracing these reforms, and the ministry is glad that the academy is taking these key reforms seriously,” Oyetola said.
Performance Management System and Enterprise Content Management System
He noted that while the PMS strategically aligned every staff and department to deliver on the ministry’s mandate and academy’s core objectives, the ECMS on the other hand streamlined and digitalised records, processes and workflows thereby promoting efficiency, transparency, and timely decision-making. According to him, the performance management system is not merely about staff appraisals but fundamentally about strategic execution of tasks and that goals are cascaded seamlessly from the national level to institutional, departmental and finally to individual.
Expected Outcomes
“Staff performance is assessed objectively using well-defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) while capacity gaps are identified and addressed through targeted training and development. For the MAN, the reforms will translate into improved training outcome, global competitiveness, and enhanced service delivery to cadets, seafarers and stakeholders in the maritime industry.” The minister commended the Acting Rector of the Academy, Dr Kevin Okonna, for his commitment towards effectively implementing the performance management system reform of the Federal Government in the institution.
Academy’s Contributions and Commitments
Okonna, in his presentation, listed the academy’s contributions in 2024 ministry’s deliverables to include; training of 4,775 seafarers and dockworkers, provision of laptops and desktops to more staff to improve productivity. The acting rector added that there was increased staff capacity building drive to promote expertise and improve standards, implementation of the PMS of the Federal Government to promote accountability, amongst others. He assured that the retreat would enhance the capacity of the academy’s management to deliver on the 2025 academy’s deliverables for the assigned presidential priorities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria is taking significant steps towards reforming its performance and accountability systems. With the implementation of the Performance Management System and Enterprise Content Management System, the academy is expected to improve its training outcomes, global competitiveness, and service delivery to stakeholders in the maritime industry. The Federal Government’s support and guidance through the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy will be crucial in ensuring the successful implementation of these reforms.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the Management Retreat at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria?
A: The purpose of the retreat is to drive a successful implementation of the Performance Management System (PMS) and Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) in the academy.
Q: What are the expected outcomes of the reforms in the Maritime Academy of Nigeria?
A: The expected outcomes include improved training outcomes, global competitiveness, and enhanced service delivery to cadets, seafarers, and stakeholders in the maritime industry.
Q: Who represented the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy at the retreat?
A: Hajia Ibrahim Kalthum, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS) in the ministry, represented the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy at the retreat.
Q: What is the role of the Performance Management System in the academy?
A: The Performance Management System strategically aligns every staff and department to deliver on the ministry’s mandate and academy’s core objectives, and assesses staff performance objectively using well-defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
