The Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) has awarded full academic sponsorships to twenty-two (22) Liberian students to pursue higher education at the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Accra, Ghana. This marks the first time in the history of LiMA for such a huge number of students to be sent in a single cohort.
The beneficiaries, selected through a competitive recruitment process, will undertake studies at both undergraduate and graduate levels in fields critical to the maritime and shipping industry. These include ports and shipping administration, international shipping and logistics, environmental management, renewable energy engineering, and marine engineering.
According to a LiMA press release, this initiative reflects Liberia’s commitment to strengthening the country’s human resource capacity in the maritime sector and ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled professionals to support national and international shipping operations.
Of the 22 recipients, 19 will pursue postgraduate studies (11 males and 8 females), while three students have been admitted into undergraduate programs. Among the postgraduate scholars are candidates specializing in environmental management, renewable energy engineering, and shipping logistics, areas considered increasingly vital to sustainable maritime development.
Commissioner/CEO of LiMA, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., described the scholarships as an investment in both the future of the country and the global maritime industry. “Liberia’s position as a leading maritime nation requires us to continuously build a strong cadre of qualified professionals who can meet emerging challenges in shipping, port management, and environmental sustainability,” he said. He also admonished the students to remain studious, emphasizing that they are ambassadors of Liberia.
The RMU, established by five West and Central African countries, serves as a regional center of excellence in maritime education. Liberia’s sustained participation in its training programs is viewed as a strategic move to retain its competitive edge in the international maritime domain.
The new cohort of students departed the country early Monday morning, September 1, 2025, as classes are expected to begin in the coming days.