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Njala University’s Bonthe Campus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration aimed at strengthening maritime education, research, and professional training in Sierra Leone.
The signing ceremony, which took place at the university’s Secretariat at the Njala Campus, was chaired by the Director of Higher Education at the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), Emmanuel J. Momoh Esq.
The agreement is a framework for collaboration in key areas, including structured internships, sea-time placement, and industrial attachments for students. It also covers joint research initiatives in maritime safety, port administration, marine environmental protection, and marine governance, as well as continuous professional development and certification programmes for maritime personnel.
Furthermore, the Vice Chancellor and Principal of Njala University, Professor Bashiru Koroma, described the MoU as more than a formal agreement.
“Today is not just about signing a document. It is about building a relationship,” he said, noting that as a coastal nation, Sierra Leone holds enormous maritime potential that requires trained professionals, strong research, and practical collaboration to manage sustainably.
He emphasized that the Bonthe Campus, given its coastal location, is strategically positioned to focus on marine-related programmes and issues affecting coastal communities. He added that the partnership would open up hands-on opportunities for students while allowing the Maritime Administration to benefit from academic research and innovation.
MTHE’s Director of Higher Education, Emmanuel J. Momoh Esq., described the agreement as a strategic milestone in advancing maritime education and professional training.
He said the collaboration reflects a shared national commitment to human capital development and to ensuring that academic programmes respond directly to industry demands, regulatory standards, and international maritime conventions.
Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration, Dr. Daniel Kaitibi, highlighted the vast opportunities within the maritime sector, noting that over 600 vessels fly Sierra Leone’s flag, each requiring qualified personnel.
He stressed that while the country has the legal right to place Sierra Leoneans on board these vessels, the lack of certified training institutions has limited that opportunity. The MoU, he said, is a step toward building local capacity to train and certify seafarers and maritime professionals in line with international standards.
Additionally, he encouraged students to explore careers in nautical sciences, shipping and logistics, maritime law and port management, describing the industry as a multi-billion-dollar global sector with significant employment potential.
Finally, Director of Research at SLMA, Emmanuel P. Richards, said the collaboration would focus on developing accredited maritime education and training programmes in compliance with Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) requirements under the International Maritime Organization framework.
He expressed confidence that the partnership would enhance capacity for seafarers and maritime professionals while promoting research on maritime safety and sustainability.
