OYOM secures court leave over maritime university

The Oro Youth Movement (OYOM), formally incorporated as the Oron Youth Progressive Assembly, has announced that it has secured leave from the Federal High Court to proceed with a suit seeking the full implementation of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron (UMSO).

In a statement issued on 18 June 2026, OYOM described the court’s decision as a significant step in its campaign to ensure the law establishing the institution is implemented.

The suit, filed by the Oron Youth Progressive Assembly (OYOM) against the Attorney General of the Federation, came before the Federal High Court, Uyo Judicial Division, on an ex parte motion dated and filed on 20 May 2026.

The motion, brought pursuant to the provisions of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, Section 36(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court, sought leave to institute judicial review proceedings aimed at compelling the implementation of the law establishing the University of Maritime Studies, Oron.

The application was argued before the court on 4 June 2026 by counsel to the applicant, who urged the court to grant the reliefs sought.

After hearing the applicant’s counsel and reviewing the processes filed before it, the court granted leave for the applicant to proceed with the substantive action.

Specifically, the court granted leave for the applicant to seek: An order of mandamus compelling the Federal Government and its relevant agencies, through the Attorney General of the Federation, to perform their statutory duties by: Appointing the principal officers and governing council of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron; disbursing funds to the University of Maritime Studies, Oron instead of the defunct Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron; and effecting the formal change of name from the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron to the University of Maritime Studies, Oron.

An order of prohibition restraining the Federal Government, its agencies, and the Joint Committee on Appropriation of the National Assembly from making further disbursements of funds from the Federation Account, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and/or the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron.

An order of injunction restraining Dr Kevin Okon Okonna from further acting or presenting himself as Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, an office which the applicant contends ceased to exist following the repeal of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria Act and the establishment of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron in 2022.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to 16 July 2026 for the hearing of the substantive application.

OYOM described the ruling as a major milestone in the long-standing efforts of the Oro people and other stakeholders who have advocated for the full establishment and operationalisation of the university.

The group stated that the legal action is not intended to undermine any individual or institution but is aimed at ensuring that the Federal Government implements the law establishing the university and fulfils the aspirations of the people of Oro Nation and Nigeria.

According to OYOM, the Oron Nation, through the Oron Union, its UMSO Implementation Committee, OYOM and other stakeholders, has engaged relevant authorities through dialogue, consultations, advocacy and official representations for more than four years. It noted that the continued delay in implementing the university necessitated judicial intervention.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law and pledged to pursue the matter responsibly, transparently and with full respect for the judicial process.

OYOM also called on sons and daughters of Oron Nation, friends of Oro and advocates of educational development to remain peaceful, united and steadfast in support of the full implementation of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron.