Stakeholders of Oro ethnic group have urged the Federal Government to probe the circumstances surrounding the delay in the take-off of University of Maritime Studies (UMSO), Oron, Akwa Ibom State.
Under the aegis of Oro Stakeholders’ Forum (OSF) for the Actualisation of UMSO, they said the university was created by an Act of the National Assembly and assented to in 2023, yet remained dormant.
In a position paper endorsed by the forum’s Chairman, Sir Asuquo Obon and Secretary, Prince Utin Ntofon, the stakeholders said Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron ought to have transitioned into UMSO following the 2022 Act.
The forum described MAN Oron as an illegal institution in the state and urged the Federal Government to probe those behind the running of the academy, in line with the ongoing probe of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
The forum said: ‘A university that exists in law must exist in reality. The people of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria deserve answers.
‘UMSO was established under the 2022 Act, which repealed Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron and provided for a full transition into a university system under the supervision of education and transport (now Marine and Blue Economy) ministries, National Universities Commission (NUC) and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
‘But more than three years after presidential assent, the institution is yet to begin full academic operations.’
OSF said the delay was ‘hard to justify,’ noting the upgrade followed a process dating back to 2008 and had survived years of consultations, hearings and legislative approvals.
‘The expectation was simple: appoint vice chancellor, other principal officers, set up governance structures and begin academic work. But instead, we are still waiting,’ the forum said.
The stakeholders cited a 2024 inspection by National Universities Commission (NUC), Federal Ministry of Education and Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, which reportedly found the institution’s facilities ‘excellent and fit for purpose.’
They alleged that former Maritime Academy Rector, Duja Effedua, resigned in 2024 amid ‘attempts to stall the transition,’ while subsequent efforts to operationalise the university have stalled.
‘We have met the Senate President twice on this matter. Nothing has changed,’ OSF said.
The forum demanded answers from key institutions, asking pointedly: ‘What has the Education Ministry done? What is NIMASA’s role? Why are governing structures not in place? Who is authorising expenditure under a repealed academy law?’
It called for a public implementation timeline and full disclosure of officials responsible for delays.
OSF flagged what it called a ‘legal contradiction’ in the continued funding of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria despite its repeal under the UMSO Act.
Budget figures reportedly show allocations of N1.63billion (2024), N3.11billion (2025) and N2.73billion proposed for 2026.
Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro had warned that continued funding of a repealed institution could raise legal consequences for the National Assembly.
Yet the academy continues to operate, admit students and defend budgets, with Acting Rector Kevin Okonna.
OSF referenced the PFIPC controversy, where a purported federal agency allegedly secured budgetary allocation despite being described by the Presidency as fictitious.
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is investigating alleged forgery and impersonation linked to the body’s self-styled director-general, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, while House of Representatives probes how it entered the national budget.
‘If a non-existent agency can penetrate government systems, why is a real university being blocked?’ OSF asked.
‘The same urgency used to chase PFIPC must be applied here. Those responsible must accordingly be identified and thoroughly prosecuted.’
The forum warned that the continued delay in the implementation of UMSO undermines maritime education, economic development and public confidence in government.
‘UMSO is not an Akwa Ibom project. It is a national asset,’ OSF said. ‘Nigeria’s maritime future cannot remain on hold.’
It demanded immediate appointment of a Vice Chancellor, constitution of a governing council, and full implementation of a university status.
‘The law has been made,’ the group said. ‘What remains is deliberate implementation, not deliberate obstruction.’