By Our Reporter
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – For decades, Oron has carried the pride and responsibility of hosting Nigeria’s foremost maritime training institution. Cadets from across the nation passed through the Academy’s gates under the watchful eyes of a community known for its peace, discipline, and unwavering hospitality. That legacy, however, officially transformed in 2022 when the National Assembly repealed the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Act and enacted the University of Maritime Studies, Oron (UMSO) Establishment Act. The transition from academy to university was not symbolic—it was complete and irreversible. MAN ceased to exist under the law the moment UMSO came into being.
It is for this reason that the Oro Youth Movement, speaking through its National President, Comrade Edet Eyo, finds it necessary to address and dismiss the recent falsehoods being circulated by individuals who continue to impersonate the Governing Council of a defunct institution. Their claims that UMSO threatens IMO standards, will suffer inadequate funding, or could destabilize security are not only unfounded—they are dangerous distortions designed to mislead the public and derail a national project.
UMSO is not in transition. It is not awaiting activation. It is not subject to the approval of any expired council. It is a fully established Federal University created by an Act of Parliament. The law is clear, and no amount of misinformation can resurrect the abolished MAN.
Contrary to the false statements being promoted, UMSO’s elevation to university status positions Nigeria more firmly within global maritime standards. Across the world—from Sweden’s World Maritime University to the Regional Maritime University in Ghana, from Dalian Maritime University in China to the Australian Maritime College—maritime excellence is rooted in universities, not outdated academies. Nigeria is not deviating from global norms; it is aligning with them.
Equally misleading is the claim that university status undermines cadet regimentation. The opposite is true. Maritime universities across the world operate successful, disciplined cadet systems. Institutions like Mass Maritime and Cal Maritime in the United States show that academic advancement and disciplined training are not in conflict—in fact, they thrive together.
UMSO’s creation was not a sudden political move. It followed years of advocacy and planning by the Federal Ministry of Transportation (now the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy), backed by NIMASA’s multimillion-naira investments in state-of-the-art simulators and modern training infrastructure. As former Minister Rotimi Amaechi clearly stated during the commissioning of these facilities, the transition to a maritime university was long overdue. The present Minister has repeatedly emphasized that the UMSO Act must be respected and fully implemented because it represents Nigeria’s rightful place in international maritime education.
What is even more troubling is the hypocrisy behind the actions of the individual parading himself as Chairman of a Governing Council that no longer exists. While publicly opposing UMSO, he has been diverting resources meant for the institution to sponsor foreign trips to the Regional Maritime University in Ghana—seeking collaborations he claims UMSO does not need. These contradictions expose the truth: the opposition to UMSO is not driven by national interest, but by personal interest and fear of losing control over resources.
The National Secretary of OYOM, Comrade Edet Iyahakwa, notes that such behaviour is not only unethical but constitutes an abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds. Money wasted on foreign travel should have been invested in strengthening training infrastructure in Oron. Instead, individuals hiding behind a defunct council are deliberately sabotaging the very progress they pretend to defend.
Their claims of insecurity are baseless. For over forty years, Oron has provided a peaceful, supportive environment for maritime training. There is no record—none—of insecurity targeting cadets or staff. Attempts to fabricate insecurity are nothing more than desperate tactics to undermine UMSO’s lawful activation.
The people of Oron see through this agenda. They understand the ethnic undertones behind the attempts to deny Oron the benefits that other regions enjoy without interference. Oro Nation will not be marginalized again. Not by impostors. Not by saboteurs. Not by individuals clinging to structures dissolved by federal law.
UMSO is a national maritime legacy. Its establishment is sealed in law. Its mandate is clear. And its future will not be sacrificed to personal interests.
The Oro Youth Movement therefore reaffirms, in the strongest terms, that the University of Maritime Studies, Oron, must be fully activated, fully protected, and fully allowed to grow into the world-class institution it was created to be. The people of Oron remain united and unwavering. We will defend UMSO peacefully, lawfully, and relentlessly.
UMSO is our heritage.
UMSO is our future.
And Oro Nation will defend it at all costs—lawfully, peacefully, and decisively.
Signed:
Comrade Edet Eyo
National President
Comrade Victor Onomo
National Vice President 1
Comrade Edet Iyahakwa
National Secretary
Comrade Emmanuel Essang
National Director, Organization and Mobilization
Comrade Sylvia Ekpot
National Director, Women Affairs
Comrade Oyekunyi Umoh
National Director, Security & Special Duties
Comrade Victor Obiosio
National Director, Media and Publicity
