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By Stella Omona
The Oro Youth Movement (OYOM) has demanded full activation of Maritime University, Oron, even as it condemned what it described as an “orchestrated campaign of misinformation” aimed at undermining the University of Maritime Studies, Oron (UMSO).
While insisting that the institution is fully established by law and no longer connected to the defunct Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), it dismissed claims by some individuals allegedly impersonating the Governing Council of the dissolved academy, who have argued that UMSO threatens International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standards, faces funding risks, or could worsen security concerns.
OYOM described the allegations as “dangerous distortions designed to derail a national project.”
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by OYOM executives including Comrades Victor Onomo, Edet Iyahakwa, Emmanuel Essang, Sylvia Ekpot, Oyekunyi Umoh and Victor Obiosio, made available to Daily Independent on Saturday in Abuja.
According to the statement, OYOM remains the transformation of MAN into a full-fledged university and became legally binding in 2022 when the National Assembly repealed the MAN Act and enacted the UMSO Establishment Act.
The group maintained that with the new law, MAN ceased to exist immediately.
“It is important to clarify that UMSO is not in transition, not awaiting activation, and not subject to any expired governing council.
“It is a fully established federal university created by an Act of Parliament. No amount of misinformation can resurrect the abolished MAN.”
The movement maintained that elevating the institution to university status places Nigeria in alignment with global maritime practices. It cited renowned institutions such as Sweden’s World Maritime University, China’s Dalian Maritime University, Ghana’s Regional Maritime University, and the Australian Maritime College as examples of countries where maritime excellence thrives within university systems.
Similarly, OYOM dismissed fears that university status would erode cadet regimentation, emphasising that leading maritime universities—including Massachusetts Maritime Academy and California Maritime Academy in the United States—operate world-class, regimented cadet corps alongside advanced academic programmes.
The group further noted that UMSO’s establishment followed years of planning and significant federal investments.
It referenced NIMASA’s multimillion-naira training infrastructure and simulators commissioned under former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, who described the transition as “long overdue.”
The current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, OYOM said, has also reiterated that the UMSO Act must be fully implemented.
The group accused an unnamed individual claiming to be chairman of a non-existent MAN Governing Council of diverting funds to sponsor foreign trips to Ghana’s Regional Maritime University while simultaneously opposing UMSO.
OYOM described the actions as “unethical” and “a misuse of public resources.”
Comrade Edet Iyahakwa, the group’s National Secretary, said the money spent on such travels should have been used to strengthen training infrastructure in Oron
The group also rejected allegations of insecurity in Oron, stressing that the host community has provided a peaceful environment for maritime training for over four decades without any recorded attacks on cadets or staff.
It described attempts to paint Oron as unsafe as “a desperate ploy to sabotage UMSO’s lawful activation.”
The movement argued that attempts to obstruct the university’s takeoff carry “ethnic undertones,” insisting that Oron people will not allow themselves to be sidelined.
“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,” OYOM declared.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to defend the institution “peacefully, lawfully, and decisively,” calling for its full activation and protection as a world-class maritime university.
