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 event brought together senior university officials, government representatives, maritime experts, staff and students.
The agreement establishes 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.
In his address, 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.
According to him, the maritime sector remains a strategic pillar of Sierra Leone’s economy, making structured academic-industry collaboration essential for building a competent workforce capable of ensuring maritime safety, regulatory compliance and global competitiveness.
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.
Dr. Kaitibi also revealed ongoing efforts to strengthen maritime governance, including collaboration with international partners to review and domesticate maritime conventions, establish rescue coordination centres and enhance maritime security infrastructure.
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.
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.
Speaking on behalf of the university’s administration, Registrar Dr. Muneer Jalloh reaffirmed Njala University’s commitment to transformative education that supports national development. He noted that closer collaboration in research, training and policy engagement would equip students with practical skills and professional confidence.
The Students’ Union President of Njala University- Njala Campus, Ahmed Banton Koroma, welcomed the MoU as a bridge between academia and industry. He said students are particularly excited about the prospects for internships, career pathways and real-world exposure in the maritime field.
He assured stakeholders that students are ready to take full advantage of the opportunities created by the partnership.
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