By Elizabeth Osayande

History was made recently at the 2025/2026 matriculation ceremony of the Federal College of Fisheries and Maritime Technology, FCFMT, Victoria Island, as a total of 1,200 students, the highest number since the school’s inception, were admitted into various programmes.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Provost, Dr. Onuoha Paul Chuks noted that not only was admittance into the College was a milestone, he explained that other achievements by the current administration such as the expanding of programmes in the College from seven to 15, including the setting up of two additional departments, and a whole lot of infrastructural advancement among others, were made possible by the President Bola Tinubu’s initiative and directive to allign the College with the newly created Marine and Blue Economy Ministry.

His words: “ It is important to note that today’s occasion is significant because this is the first time in the history of the school that we are matriculating a total number of 1200 students. This represents a significant departure from the low number of 298 students who matriculated in the 2019/2020 academic session when this administration came on board. Thanks to the college management for the passionate and diligent commitment to adopting not only the needed relevant strategies in improving the number and quality of academic programs, but also the infrastructural facilities needed for them.

Also, Dr Chuks, who encouraged the newly admitted students to make judicious use of their time in the College, noted that both national and international collaboration and partnerships were responsible for the wheel of progress in the school.

“ Collaboration with leading institutions remains an essential part of the College’s strategy for academic and research excellence. MoUs with the University of Lagos, Olusegun Agagu University of Science Technology, Chisquares Incorporated in Atlanta, United States and Winrock International, continue to provide pathways for research and academic collaboration and degree awards in relevant programmes.

“Again, the College has recently secured NIMASA/IMO approval of our ND, HND, and professional programmes with the final certificate in view for our professional certificate programmes, such as the Certificate of Competency, COC, Certificate programmes using the newly acquired Bridge Simulator Class A.

“The issue of most of our graduates travelling out of the country to write their COCs at very exorbitant cost in foreign currency will be a thing of the past as soon as NIMASA certifies and accredits the use of our Full Mission Bridge Simulator for these programmes;

To the student, the Provost stated, “Today is not just a ceremony, it marks the beginning of a transformative experience that will shape your future. In two years, we look forward to seeing you graduate as competent, confident, and globally competitive professionals, ready to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s maritime and fisheries sectors. The road may not be easy, but with determination and the support of the College, success is within reach.

For the chairman of the governing board of the College, Hon. MacDonald Ebere, Nigeria needs institutions such as FCFMT to provide the needed knowledge, innovation, and skilled workforce to tap into the potential of the blue economy.

“Nigeria is blessed with vast marine and inland water resources. Our oceans, rivers, and coastal ecosystems hold enormous potential for food security, employment, technology advancement, and economic growth. Institutions like the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology exist to unlock that potential through knowledge, innovation, and a skilled workforce.

“Dr Ebere also tasked the matriculating students with the importance of their choice: I congratulate our matriculating students. You have chosen a very important path. Fisheries, marine technology, aquaculture, marine engineering and environmental management are not just academic disciplines; they are critical sectors for the future of our nation.