The Federal Government has been urged to urgently intervene and ensure the immediate operationalization of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron (UMSO), to drive Nigeria’s blue economy, among other benefits.
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The appeal was made on Monday by the Oron Stakeholders’ Forum during a press conference attended by Nairametrics.
The group is seeking the upgrade of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State, into a full-fledged maritime university.
What they are saying
Addressing the press on behalf of the stakeholders, Professor Emmanuel Onwioduokit stated that the continued non-operational status of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron (UMSO) amounts to a national concern.
He explained that the delay persists despite UMSO’s lawful establishment by an Act of the National Assembly and presidential assent granted on February 16, 2023.
- “Today, nearly four years after the legislative process was concluded, the university remains inactive. A university that exists in law must also exist in reality,” he said.
He highlighted that as far back as 2008, the Niger Delta Development Technical Committee recommended the upgrade of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, into a full-fledged maritime university.
He added that the development followed years of advocacy, stakeholder engagements, public hearings, legislative processes, and eventual presidential assent in 2023.
According to him, the appointment of principal officers for the institution and the constitution of governing structures “have not materialised.”
He expressed concern that this situation persists despite engagements with the National Universities Commission (NUC), consultations with relevant ministries, stakeholder mobilization efforts, and invitations extended to university representatives during the 2025/2026 admission consultations.
- “The University of Maritime Studies was envisioned 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,” he added.
He maintained that at a time when nations are investing heavily in maritime capacity development, Nigeria cannot afford institutional delays of this magnitude.
The group specifically urged the President to immediately appoint a Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers for UMSO, approve the full constitution of its Governing Council, and direct all relevant ministries and agencies to conclude pending implementation processes.
Backstory
In 2017, the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund submitted its report on the bill seeking to repeal the Maritime Academy of Nigeria Act, Cap 16, LFN 1988, and provide for the establishment of the Federal University of Maritime Studies, Oron.
The committee, chaired by Senator Bazau Jibrin, concluded in its report that the quality of maritime education and training would improve significantly if the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) were upgraded to a degree-awarding institution.
According to the committee, the development would save the nation the huge sums spent annually on training Nigerian cadets and seafarers abroad.
What you should know
The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), formerly known as the Nautical College of Nigeria, was established in 1979 by the Federal Executive Council under Resolution No. EC (77) 172.
It was envisioned as an institution dedicated to the education and training of shipboard officers, ratings, and shore-based management personnel.
The academy graduated its first batch of cadets in 1983, and in 1988, its scope was expanded through Decree No. 16 of 1988, granting it a statutory mandate to train personnel at all levels for the effective and efficient operation of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
The academy offers a range of programmes, including National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) courses in Nautical Sciences, Marine Engineering, and Electrical/Electronic Engineering.
Other programmes include Maritime Transport and Business Studies, Maritime Transport and Business Management, as well as specialized seafarers’ training courses.
In the proposed 2025 budget, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, was allocated N3,114,870,123 under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
