Oron elders decry delay in Maritime University’s take off, four years after presidential approval

Elders of Oron nation in Akwa Ibom State have raised an alarm 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.

Addressing journalists at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, the elders 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 elders who constituted themselves as Oron 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.

Professor Emmanuel Onwioduokit, who addressed the media on behalf of the elders, called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the university’s matters with a view to making it a reality.

“A university that exists in law must also exist in reality,” the elders declared.

They traced the institution’s origin to recommendations made in 2008 by the Niger Delta Development Technical Committee, which proposed the upgrade of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, into a full-fledged maritime university.

According to the elders, 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 materialised.

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.

They queried the Federal Government over what they described as an unusually slow implementation process, asking why the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers had not been concluded, and why the Governing Council was yet to be fully constituted.

The elders also questioned why public resources were still being directed to structures expected to transition into the new university framework.

“This issue goes beyond Oron,” the stakeholders said, noting that the university was conceived as a national centre for maritime excellence, a driver of Nigeria’s blue economy, a hub for maritime research and innovation, and a platform for youth employment and educational advancement.

They warned that every additional delay translates into loss of educational opportunities, weakened public confidence and stalled regional economic development.

The group therefore called on the administration of Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene by ensuring the immediate operationalisation of the institution.

Among their demands were the immediate appointment of a Vice-Chancellor and principal officers, full constitution of the Governing Council, issuance of clear directives to relevant ministries and agencies, publication of a transparent implementation timeline, and an administrative review of all factors responsible for the delay.

“We are not demanding special treatment. We are asking that an existing federal law be fully implemented,” the forum stated.

Oron elders decry delay in Maritime University’s take off, four years after presidential approval