The Oro Stakeholders Forum for the Actualisation of University of Maritime Studies, Oron (UMSO) has condemned what it described as endless delays in the implementation and operationalisation of the University, warning that the situation is undermining Nigeria’s blue economy aspirations and weakening public confidence in governance.
Speaking during a press conference held in Abuja on Monday, the forum expressed frustration that despite the university being legally established through an Act of the National Assembly and presidential assent granted on February 16, 2023, the institution remains inactive nearly four years later.
The text of the conference was read by a renowned professor of Economics, Emmanuel Onwioduokit, who described the continued delay as unacceptable and contrary to the spirit of the law establishing the institution.
“A university that exists in law must also exist in reality,” he declared, insisting that the people of Oron, Akwa Ibom State, the Niger Delta and Nigeria deserved answers over the failure to commence operations at the university.
The forum recalled that the vision for a maritime university in Oron dates back to 2008 following recommendations by the Niger Delta Development Technical Committee to upgrade the Maritime Academy of Nigeria into a full-fledged maritime university.
It noted that after years of advocacy, stakeholder engagements, public hearings and legislative processes, expectations were high that the institution would immediately begin operations after presidential assent.
According to the stakeholders, those expectations have been dashed as key implementation processes remain stalled.
The group questioned why the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor and principal officers had not been concluded, why the Governing Council was yet to be fully constituted, and why implementation procedures were moving at what it called “an unusually slow pace.”
The forum also raised concerns over the continued deployment of public resources to structures expected to transition into the new university framework, despite the institution’s legal status.
It stressed that the issue extends beyond Oron, describing the university as a critical national institution expected to serve as “a national centre for maritime excellence, a driver of Nigeria’s blue economy, a platform for maritime research and innovation, and a source of employment and educational opportunities for Nigerian youths.”
The stakeholders warned that every additional delay translates to “lost opportunities for students, lost economic potential, delayed regional development, and weakened public confidence in government implementation processes.”
The forum therefore appealed to the administration of President Bola Ahemd Tinubu to urgently intervene by ensuring the immediate appointment of principal officers, full constitution of the Governing Council, and issuance of clear directives to relevant ministries and agencies to conclude all pending implementation processes.
It also demanded the publication of a transparent operational timeline with measurable milestones, alongside an administrative review of all delays associated with the implementation of the university.
“We are not demanding special treatment. We are asking that an existing federal law be fully implemented,” the forum stated, adding that while it remains committed to peaceful and lawful engagement, “the continued delay is no longer acceptable” because “Nigeria’s maritime future cannot remain on hold.”
Other members of the forum present during the event included Sir Chief Engr Asuquo Inuikim, Chairman; Chief Engr Benedict Ukpong, Secretary. Also present were Arc Otu Ita Toyo, Chief Ita Ntekim, Mrs Janet Amba, among many others.
