NMU staff debunks alleged claims of breach of federal character in appointment of principal officers

By Joseph Bienbo, Warri

The entire staff of the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State have dismissed a publication by some staff, alleging breach of federal character in the recent appointment of principal officers by the governing council.

The entire NMU staff strongly condemned what they described as an orchestrated attempt to mislead the public and incite discord within the academic environment, noting that NMU was a place of excellence but not a space for baseless propaganda or anonymous blackmail.

The NMU staff in a statement by Comrade Moses Oghenekome Ogege, Mr. Fine-Boy Doubra, Mrs. Sarah Kattey, Mr. Ossa and Mr. Allen Igwe described the publication authored by some persons parading as staff of the university in Congress Newspaper on Wednesday as baseless propaganda.

The staff said the allegations were not only baseless but also a disservice to the truth and to the progress NMU had recorded under the current leadership, citing that the Nigeria Maritime University remained committed to its mission of building a world-class maritime institution that served the needs of the nation and the global maritime industry.

Consequently, the university staff urged the media, stakeholders, and the general public to disregard what they described as unfounded publication, and continued to support the laudable achievements being recorded under the present Council, noting that the progress recorded by NMU wasn’t speculative but visible, measurable, and verifiable.

They further extended their profound appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for his historic and visionary action in signing into law the bill establishing the Nigeria Maritime University, adding that the bold step had laid a strong legal and developmental foundation for the university, reinforcing its role as a strategic national institution for maritime education and research.

In their rebuttal dated May 8, 2025, the staff also thanked Mr. President for constituting the current NMU Governing Council, a body whose leadership had been marked by transparency, fairness, and unwavering commitment to institutional growth, emphasising that under their stewardship, NMU had made unprecedented progress in administration, infrastructure, and academic excellence.

The further noted, “The process for the appointment of principal officers began in the Governing Council, where the advertisement document was approved. Following this, notices were placed in two national newspapers, publicly inviting applications for the positions of Registrar, Bursar, and University Librarian, and everyone saw the advertisement, even on the university’s official staff platform.

“Later on, a Selection Committee was constituted by the Council, alongside the approval for the engagement of three independent consultants, one each assigned to the three positions. The consultants worked closely with the committee, and after a rigorous and transparent interview process, three top-performing candidates were recommended to the Council. As expected, the highest-scoring candidates were duly appointed.

“This process was a model of fairness and due process. It adhered strictly to principles of merit and integrity. One, therefore, wonders what the anonymous authors of these claims consider lacking in transparency.

“The Nigeria Maritime University community is fully pleased with the decisions of the Governing Council. The entire staff stands in firm support of the Council’s direction, particularly its efforts to strengthen the university through competent leadership and institutional reforms. A visit to the university campus will show how much the outcome from the Council is being celebrated”.

READ THE FULL REBUTTAL

A Rebuttal to the False and Misleading Publication on Governing Council Appointments of Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State.

We the staff of Nigeria Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, once again, extends our profound appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for his historic and visionary action in signing into law the bill establishing the Nigeria Maritime University. This bold step has laid a strong legal and developmental foundation for the university, reinforcing its role as a strategic national institution for maritime education and research.

We also thank Mr. President for constituting the current NMU Governing Council, a body whose leadership has been marked by transparency, fairness, and unwavering commitment to institutional growth. Under their stewardship, NMU has made unprecedented progress in administration, infrastructure, and academic excellence.

*A Transparent Appointment Process Anchored in Merit*

We wish to firmly refute the recent falsehoods published by certain faceless individuals seeking to discredit the Council’s appointment of principal officers. Their allegations are not only baseless but also a disservice to the truth and to the progress NMU has recorded under the current leadership.

The process for the appointment of principal officers began in the Governing Council, where the advertisement document was approved. Following this, notices were placed in two national newspapers, publicly inviting applications for the positions of Registrar, Bursar, and University Librarian, and everyone saw the advertisement, even on the university’s official staff platform.

Later on, a Selection Committee was constituted by the Council, alongside the approval for the engagement of three independent consultants, one each assigned to the three positions. The consultants worked closely with the committee, and after a rigorous and transparent interview process, three top-performing candidates were recommended to the Council. As expected, the highest-scoring candidates were duly appointed.

This process was a model of fairness and due process. It adhered strictly to principles of merit and integrity. One, therefore, wonders what the anonymous authors of these claims consider lacking in transparency.

The Nigeria Maritime University community is fully pleased with the decisions of the Governing Council. The entire staff stands in firm support of the Council’s direction, particularly its efforts to strengthen the university through competent leadership and institutional reforms. A visit to the university campus will show how much the outcome from the Council is being celebrated.

In recognition of these achievements, the NMU staff have unanimously passed a vote of confidence on all members of the Governing Council, with special commendation to the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Alhaji Abdulahi Bardi, whose visionary leadership has been central to the university’s upward trajectory.

*Condemnation of Falsehoods and Reaffirmation of NMU’s Focus*

We condemn in the strongest terms the orchestrated attempt to mislead the public and sow discord within our academic environment. NMU is a place of excellence, not a space for baseless propaganda or anonymous blackmail. The progress recorded here is not speculative, it is visible, measurable, and verifiable.

The Nigeria Maritime University remains committed to its mission of building a world-class maritime institution that serves the needs of the nation and the global maritime industry. We urge the media, stakeholders, and the general public to disregard the unfounded publication and continue to support the laudable achievements being recorded under the present Council.

Long live the Nigeria Maritime University.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

*Signed by:*
Comrade Moses Oghenekome Ogege
Mr. Fine-Boy Doubra
Mrs. Sarah Kattey
Mr. Ossa
Mr. Alen Igwe
For and behalf of the entire staff members of NMU.