What Will Tinubu Tell Akwa Ibom About University of Maritime Studies, Oron?
As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prepares to visit Uyo on Friday, November 6, 2026, to commission projects executed by Governor Umo Eno, one uncomfortable question should confront him: What does he intend to tell the people of Akwa Ibom about the University of Maritime Studies, Oron (UMSO)?
Will he speak about the airport terminal, the hospital, the aviation village and the roads, while conveniently looking away from a federal university established by law but deliberately left in institutional limbo by his administration?
On February 16, 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari assented to the University of Maritime Studies, Oron (Establishment) Act, 2022. The law created a federal university with enormous strategic, educational and economic significance for Akwa Ibom and Nigeria’s maritime industry. Yet, almost four years later, under the Tinubu administration, the university remains without the meaningful operational take-off that its enabling legislation demands.
This is not merely bureaucratic negligence. It is a monumental betrayal of legislative intent, a betrayal of institutional development and a betrayal of the legitimate expectations of Akwa Ibom people.
Consider the disturbing concentration of influence in the maritime sector. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, is from Osun State. The NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola from Oyo State, was appointed by President Tinubu in March 2024 and has a longstanding professional background in Lagos. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, represents Lagos Central. Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom, the state hosting this strategically important institution, continues to wait for the university to become a reality. One cannot pretend to overlook an apparent suspicion of a seaming executive conspiracy where a clannish interest arguably swallows up a national appeal.
The problem is not that these individuals come from a particular region of the country. They are entitled to occupy public offices. The problem is the conspicuous failure to translate the federal character principle into equitable institutional attention, meaningful inclusion and concrete benefits for the host state.
Even more disturbing, the National Assembly’s own records contain a motion expressing concern that the university had not commenced academic activities. Yet, in a similar twist of events, the Senate Committee Chairman on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, in July 2025, attempted a repeal of the UMSO Act at the Senate. Question is, how does an institution meant for another section of the country become so disturbing that a Senator from Lagos would want to bring it back to MAN Oron?
As WatchmanPost revealed in its investigative report between August and September 2026, extraordinary contradictions have trailed the UMSO struggle. The university established by law remains in limbo while the former Maritime Academy structure continues operating.
Available executive actions confirm to this reporter that President Tinubu cannot claim ignorance indefinitely. Akwa Ibom is not merely a convenient geographical location for presidential rallies, political endorsements and ceremonial project commissioning. Its people are entitled to the full benefits of federal institutions established within their territory.
A president cannot commission an airport terminal in Uyo while allowing a legally established federal university in Oron, Akwa Ibom State to remain a terminal case of governmental indifference.
Tomorrow, as the President stands before the people of Akwa Ibom seeking political solidarity, he owes them more than applause, campaign promises and rehearsed declarations of national unity. He owes them an explanation about the non-implementation of UMSO.
Who is holding UMSO hostage? Why has the establishment law not been fully implemented? When will the university commence academic activities? And what concrete commitment will his administration make to end this injustice?
The people of Akwa Ibom must not be distracted by the glitter of commissioned projects while a generational educational opportunity is being buried in administrative darkness.
A university is not established by presidential signature alone; it is established when the law is translated into functioning classrooms, laboratories, academic programmes, employment and opportunity.
Mr President, before asking Akwa Ibom for another political mandate, tell them why its university is still waiting. The people deserve answers, not another political performance. UMSO is not a campaign souvenir. It is a law, a promise and a national obligation.
Joseph Atainyang is a journalist and public affairs commentator.
