The UNIUYO reforms announced by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Christopher Nyong Ekong, include a 72-hour target for processing transcripts and the move of admissions to the faculties.
He spoke at a press briefing ahead of the University of Uyo’s 31st and 32nd combined convocation ceremonies. More than 20 media organisations attended.
Ekong, who was inaugurated as the ninth Vice-Chancellor on June 16, 2026, said his administration is built on six pillars. They are staff welfare, student-centred governance, infrastructure, academic excellence, research and institutional sustainability.
He said 1,810 transcripts have been processed and released. To end delays, the university now has a 72-hour turnaround target.
Admissions have been decentralised to the faculties. Deans, Directors and Heads of Department have been trained, and Quality Assurance teams are to monitor compliance.
On academic development, he said more than 15 TETFund projects are slated for implementation, while stalled ones have been reactivated. The university has also provided 500 computers for digital learning.
At the Medical Campus, the auditorium has been renovated and dental chairs bought. Work is ongoing at the Faculty of Pharmacy.
He also listed renovated offices, improvements to the NDDC Female Hostel and the Presidential Hostel, and two new boreholes at the Town Campus.
Under a Green and Clean Campus Initiative, the university has started tree planting and hired forest guards. It has also acquired drones to improve surveillance and security.
Two markets have been built, and traders around the main gate have been moved to a more suitable location.
To rely less on government allocations, the university is setting up the University Commercial Block Company, a paint industry and University Farms Limited.
Six hectares have been cultivated for cucumber. The university has also planted 6,100 cocoa seedlings, 3,000 plantain seedlings and 4,000 oil palm seedlings, and has restarted mushroom production.
On welfare, Ekong said salaries and entitlements have been paid, while outstanding professional allowances are being paid in batches. CONTTA and CATA have been paid from January 2026 to date.
For students, he expressed satisfaction with the smooth transfer of leadership in the Students’ Union Government and the rollout of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). He said the university has taken steps to guide students on how to access the loan.
He added that measures have been taken on security challenges, including cult activities and sexual harassment, and on strained relations with host communities.
On partnerships, he said he hosted the South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Jeon Yeon, and met the Managing Director of the South-South Development Commission. He also noted a Memorandum of Understanding with the Canadian Government on collaborative certification.
He described the progress so far as only the beginning of a wider transformation plan.
Digital Operations Manager at The Students Forum Nigeria.
