Nigeria Funds Repealed Academy Despite University Law

In Nigeria, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron continues to receive billions of naira despite being legally dissolved in February 2023. A new law intended to upgrade the academy into the University of Maritime Studies has not been implemented. Budgets and allocations still flow to the defunct academy, creating a situation where funds are directed to a structure without legal standing.

Between 2021 and 2024, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency remitted roughly 12.21 billion naira to the academy. However, the academy spent considerably less than it received, with the location of the remaining funds remaining unclear. Concerns about financial mismanagement at the academy are longstanding, with past investigations into alleged fraud and misappropriation.

The delay stems from a conflict between financial interests and legal compliance, as some officials benefit from the continued funding stream to the academy. While the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, was established and integrated into the federal system within months, Oron remains in limbo. Repeated inquiries to government officials regarding the stalled transition have gone unanswered, leaving the future of the institution unresolved.