The Oron Youth Movement has raised concerns over what it described as deliberate delays by the Governing Council of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, in converting the institution into the University of Maritime Studies—a transition approved by the National Assembly in 2022.
The youth group said the council recently claimed that upgrading the Academy to a university could trigger insecurity, create funding challenges, and undermine its international recognition. The council argued that the Academy’s current technical-college structure is essential to maintain global maritime standards.
But in a statement issued in Uyo on Tuesday, the Oron Youth Movement described the council’s claims as false, misleading, and inconsistent with Nigerian law and international standards for maritime education.
The statement, signed by National President Edet Eyo, National Secretary Edet Iyahakwa, and National Director of Security and Special Duties Oyokunyi Umoh, stressed that the Academy has operated peacefully for decades and that the University of Maritime Studies Establishment Act, 2022, provides sustainable funding through federal allocations, grants, and partnerships.
The group accused the council leadership of attempting to frustrate the university upgrade to protect personal interests, a move they said undermines both the development of Oron communities and global maritime standards.
They called on the Federal Government to investigate the council’s actions and demanded the immediate resignation of the Governing Council Chairman.
The Oron Youth Movement reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the full establishment of the University of Maritime Studies, describing the upgrade as a long-standing aspiration of the Oron people.
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