The Centre for Marine and Offshore Technology Development (CMOTD) at Rivers State University (RSU) has successfully graduated its pioneer cohort of 305 trainees, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest to strengthen local capacity in the marine, offshore, and energy sectors.
The four-month intensive programme—delivered in partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB)—immersed participants in multi-disciplinary technical fields, organised into seven core courses across four specialised disciplines.
Trainees received hands-on instruction in Industrial Ship Design using AVEVA Marine, Process Pipe Stress Analysis, Pressure Vessel and Heat Exchanger Design, Big Data Analytics, Transformer Repair, Class Welding, Automation, and Oil Well Optimisation.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at the university’s Amphitheatre, the Centre’s Chief Executive Officer, Vitalis Ahiakwo, described the institution as more than a training facility, emphasizing its role as a hub for innovation and applied excellence.
“Our mission is to bridge the gap between academia and industry, transforming theoretical knowledge into practical, industry-ready competencies in the marine, offshore and energy technology space,” Ahiakwo said.
He reaffirmed the centre’s commitment to building the human capital needed to power Nigeria’s emerging blue economy, leveraging cutting-edge research, technology transfer, and advanced skills development. He hailed the CMOTD as a testament to visionary partnerships, enabled by the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act.
Ahiakwo expressed optimism that continued training of this scale would soon enable Nigeria to export highly qualified experts, while domestic industries gain access to a reliable pool of skilled professionals in diverse marine and engineering fields.
Addressing the graduates, he urged them to step forward as innovators and leaders:
“Do not merely adapt to technological change; become its architects. Be innovators, problem-solvers, and ambassadors of Nigeria’s marine and offshore competence.”
Also speaking, the Head of Research and Development and Training Coordinator, Elakpa Augustine, said the programme underscores the centre’s mission to align traditional industry practices with the needs of Industry 5.0 and modern academia.
He described the training curriculum as a “living document” that will be continually updated to reflect global standards, emerging technologies, and the latest academic insights.
