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By John Azu
The Oron Stakeholders Forum has expressed displeasure over the continued non-operational status of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron (UMSO), nearly four years after the institution was established by an Act of the National Assembly and signed into law by the then President, Muhammadu Buhari on February 16, 2023.
The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) in Oron, Akwa Ibom State, is Nigeria’s premier maritime training institution widely known as academy, legislation was passed for transition into a full-fledged degree awarding university (University of Maritime Studies, Oron) but has not been implemented despite it’s crucial role to national development
Addressing journalists at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, the group described the prolonged delay in activating the university as unacceptable, warning that Nigeria risks undermining its maritime development ambitions and losing critical opportunities in the blue economy sector.
The stakeholders said despite years of advocacy, legislative processes, stakeholder engagements and eventual presidential assent, the university still exists only “on paper,” with no substantive operational structures in place.
“A university that exists in law must also exist in reality,” the forum declared.
The group traced the institution’s origin to recommendations made in 2001 when tje then Minister of Transport Ojo Madueke proposed it alongside former Minister of Aviation Isa Yugudu in 2003, later in 2005, the Minister of Transport Abiye Sekibo confirmed the pland.
Subsequently, by the Niger Delta Development Technical Committee, under Ledum Mitee and Nkoyo Toyo, proposed the upgrade of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron into a full-fledged maritime university and the motion was moved and adopted by the House of Representatives by Rep Robinson Uwak, who represented the constituency.
According to the forum, expectations following the signing of the bill into law included the appointment of principal officers, constitution of governing structures and commencement of academic activities , none of which has materialized.
The stakeholders expressed concern that despite engagements with the National Universities Commission (NUC), consultations with relevant ministries and mobilization efforts by stakeholders, the university remains dormant.
“We are not demanding special treatment. We are asking that an existing federal law be fully implemented,” the forum stated.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, a former commissioner of economic development , Akwa Ibom state, prof. Emmanuel Onwioduokit, along with the Chairman of the forum, Sir Dr. A. Ukwo Inuikim Obon and the Secretary, Engr Benedict Ukpong, maintained that the University of Maritime Studies, Oron is not merely a regional project but a national institution critical to Nigeria’s maritime future.