Nigerian marine engineering education, shipbuilding constraints and blue economy

Assessment 4: Design and Innovation Report on Nigerian Marine Engineering and Ocean Naval Architecture (3,000–3,500 words)

Module and Assessment Overview

• Module title: Marine Engineering, Shipbuilding and Offshore Design in Nigeria

• Assessment type: Individual design and innovation report (country/sector-focused)

• Weighting: 30–40% of module grade (see programme handbook)

• Length: 3,000–3,500 words (excluding references, tables, figures and appendices)

• Submission format: Technical/strategic report (DOCX or PDF) via VLE/learning portal

• Level: Final-year undergraduate / postgraduate taught (Level 6/7 equivalent)

Assessment Context

Nigeria’s marine engineering and ocean naval architecture capability is developing around three pillars: maritime education and training, emerging shipbuilding and repair capacity, and offshore oil and gas engineering projects such as FPSO fabrication and integration. Institutions like the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN, Oron) and specialist departments in polytechnics and universities offer ND/HND and degree programmes in marine engineering and related fields, aligned to IMO model courses and local content objectives. At the same time, NIMASA’s modular floating dock, new and existing shipyards, and offshore fabrication yards (for example Egina FPSO topside fabrication and integration) highlight opportunities and constraints in building a competitive national marine engineering and naval architecture base.​

This assessment invites you to analyse how Nigeria can strengthen its marine engineering and ocean naval architecture capabilities, connecting education, industrial capacity and major offshore/shipbuilding projects.

Assessment Task

Task description

Prepare a 3,000–3,500 word design and innovation report titled:

“Building Nigeria’s Marine Engineering and Ocean Naval Architecture Capability: Education, Industry and Offshore Projects”

Your report should:

1. Map current education and training pathways in marine engineering and naval architecture in Nigeria.

2. Analyse the state of shipbuilding, ship repair and offshore engineering capacity (including major fabrication yards and floating docks).

3. Use one or two concrete technical/industrial case examples (for example NIMASA modular floating dock; Egina FPSO fabrication and integration; a Nigerian shipyard project) to illustrate capabilities and gaps.

4. Propose strategic and technical measures to enhance Nigeria’s marine engineering and naval architecture ecosystem over the next 5–10 years.

Core requirements

Your report must cover, at minimum, the following elements:

1. Education and training landscape

   • Describe the role of key institutions (for example Maritime Academy of Nigeria, marine engineering departments in polytechnics/universities, specialist academies) in training marine engineers and related professionals.

   • Summarise programme structures and philosophies (for example ND/HND marine engineering at MAN Oron, department at YabaTech), highlighting links to IMO model courses, STCW and local content policies.

   • Identify strengths and limitations in current curricula, laboratory/workshop facilities, sea-time and industry exposure.

2. Shipbuilding, ship repair and floating dock capacity

   • Analyse recent developments in Nigerian shipbuilding and ship repair, including NIMASA’s modular floating dock deployment at Continental Shipyard and broader ambitions to reduce capital flight and create jobs.​​

   • Discuss existing shipyards and repair facilities, their capabilities, and linkage to training institutions (for example opportunities for cadet practical time).​

3. Offshore engineering and fabrication (case example)

   • Present a focused case on a major offshore engineering project such as the Egina FPSO fabrication and integration, noting how local fabrication yards (for example SHI-MCI yard at LADOL) contributed to topside module production and integration.

   • Explain what this reveals about Nigeria’s marine/offshore engineering skills base, technology transfer and potential for complex naval architectural and ocean engineering work.

4. Capability gaps and opportunities

   • Identify key technical and organisational gaps in Nigeria’s marine engineering and naval architecture ecosystem (for example advanced design tools, hydrodynamics and structural analysis capacity, specialised fabrication, quality and classification standards, project management skills).

   • Highlight opportunities linked to the blue economy and regional demand for ship repair, offshore support vessels, coastal craft and smaller shipbuilding projects.​​

5. Design and innovation roadmap (5–10 years)

   • Propose a set of strategic and technical actions to strengthen capability, organised under headings such as:

     • Curriculum and research enhancement (for example CFD, digital ship design, offshore renewable structures)

     • Industry–academia partnerships (for example structured internships, joint design projects, access to yards and floating dock for training)

     • Infrastructure and equipment investments (for example labs, simulators, workshops, testing equipment)

     • Standards, accreditation and international collaboration (for example links with classification societies and foreign design offices)

   • For each action area, indicate key actors (for example NIMASA, MAN Oron, universities, shipyards, oil and gas companies) and indicative timelines.

6. Conclusions

   • Provide a concise synthesis of Nigeria’s current position, major challenges and the most critical steps needed to build a robust marine engineering and ocean naval architecture capability.

Indicative structure

• Title page (module, student ID, word count, report title).

• Executive summary (150–200 words).

• 1. Introduction and objectives.

• 2. Marine engineering and naval architecture education landscape in Nigeria.

• 3. Shipbuilding, ship repair and floating dock capacity.

• 4. Offshore engineering case example (for example Egina FPSO).

• 5. Capability gaps and opportunities.

• 6. Design and innovation roadmap (5–10 years).

• 7. Conclusions.

• References (Harvard style).

• Appendices (for example summary of key institutions, facilities, or project timelines) as needed.

Formatting and Submission Requirements

• Word count: 3,000–3,500 words (excluding references, tables, figures and appendices). State the word count on the title page.

• Font and spacing: 11–12 pt font, 1.5 spacing, standard margins.

• Style: Technical/strategic report, written in clear, professional English; use headings and judicious bullet points.

• Referencing: Harvard style throughout.

• Sources: At least 10–12 substantive sources, including:

  • Institutional materials from MAN, Nigerian marine engineering departments and relevant academies;

  • Industry reports and articles on shipbuilding, repair, floating dock deployment and offshore projects;

  • Case material on Egina FPSO or equivalent offshore engineering projects.

Learning Outcomes Assessed

• LO1: Describe Nigeria’s current marine engineering and ocean naval architecture education and training landscape.

• LO2: Analyse the capabilities and limitations of Nigerian shipbuilding, repair and offshore engineering facilities.

• LO3: Evaluate case examples (for example Egina FPSO, NIMASA floating dock) to assess current technical and organisational capacity.

• LO4: Identify realistic opportunities to enhance marine engineering and naval architecture capability.

• LO5: Develop a coherent, evidence-based design and innovation roadmap linking education, industry and major projects.

References

1. Nwokedi, T.C., Kalu, D.O., Odumodu, C.U. & Udeh, S. (2019) ‘Constraint theory approach analysis of the Nigerian shipbuilding industry’, LOGI – Scientific Journal on Transport and Logistics, 10(1), pp. 57–66. doi:10.2478/logi-2019-0006

2. Akpan, N.S. & Okon, U.E. (2020) ‘Engineering education and development in Nigeria’s maritime sector: issues and prospects’, Journal of Research in National Development, 18(2), pp. 45–56. Available at: https://www.globalacademicgroup.com/journals/academic%20excellence%20/Nsikan%20Okon.pdf​

3. Maritime Academy of Nigeria (2023) ‘Marine Engineering: Programme philosophy, structure and admission requirements’, Programme Handbook, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron. Available at: https://maritimeacademy.gov.ng/marine_eng.php​

4. Adekeye, J.O. & Omojuwa, A. (2022) ‘A critical survey on the challenges and prospects of shipbuilding and repair services in Nigerian shipyards’, International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 3(6), pp. 1152–1163. Available at: https://ijrpr.com/uploads/V3ISSUE6/IJRPR5311.pdf​

5. Adewale, A., Nwankwo, C. & Bello, M. (2024) ‘Assessing the role of maritime engineering in enabling blue economy development in Nigeria’, Nigerian Journal of Maritime Development, 6(2), pp. 1–20. Available at: http://www.nimena.org.ng/NM/documents/Assessing%20the%20Role%20of%20Maritime%20Engineering%20in%20Enabling%20Blue%20Economy%20De.