President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the sum of N6 billion for the takeoff of the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State. This grant is part of the 2018 budget which was presented to the National Assembly, under the Federal Ministry of Education allocation.
N3 billion was added to the initial N2 billion allocated for the university which has commenced operations, and N1 billion for staff recruitment, even as applications have been invited for academic staff.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, said “approval for the N5b budget allocation was based on the recommendation of a committee in the Ministry of Education charged with the activation of the university.”
He added that the President has also approved the immediate release of N1b to the university to support essential infrastructure works and staff recruitment.
Under the New Vision for the Niger Delta, which followed the President’s meeting with PANDEF leaders last November, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was delegated to undertake a tour of the oil producing communities and the issue of the take-off of the Maritime University was one of the major requests tabled before the Federal Government.
In this regard, the Maritime University authorities recently commenced the process of hiring staff with advert placements published in various news platforms.