By Elijah Ugani
When Dr. Ivon Ettah assumed office as Head of the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (SLT), University of Calabar, in August 2024, he inherited a department with enormous potential and a number of longstanding challenges. Rather than maintaining the status quo, he embarked on an ambitious programme of reform and development aimed at repositioning the department as a centre of academic excellence, innovation, and professional relevance.
Less than two years into his administration, the department has witnessed an impressive transformation that spans infrastructure, academic development, staff welfare, student support, and institutional growth. Significantly, these achievements were realized through the prudent management of the department’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), demonstrating that visionary leadership and financial discipline can produce remarkable results.
One of the most visible indicators of this transformation is the substantial improvement in the department’s physical infrastructure. Under Dr. Ettah’s leadership, an ultra-modern Animal House was constructed and has since become fully operational, providing a valuable facility for practical teaching and research.
Dr Etta has successfully stocked the department’s Animal House with Wistar rats, rabbits, and other experimental animals to support teaching, research, and practical laboratory training.
The Animal House now provides a reliable supply of experimental animals for a wide range of scientific applications, including toxicological studies, pharmacological research, dissection, and other approved laboratory investigations. The availability of these animals is expected to enhance hands-on learning experiences for students while strengthening the department’s research capacity.
The department also boasts a newly constructed postgraduate laboratory equipped to support advanced learning and scientific investigation. To complement this facility, forty durable laboratory stools were produced, ensuring a conducive environment for postgraduate students.
The administrative block has also received a facelift with the installation of a modern departmental signage, while insect-repellent window nets have been fitted in all staff offices to improve safety and provide a healthier working environment by preventing insects and reptiles from entering office spaces.
Academic advancement has equally been a defining feature of Dr. Ettah’s administration. For the first time in the history of the department, Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) and Master of Science (M.Sc.) programmes have been successfully introduced and mounted, opening new opportunities for postgraduate education and research. The acquisition of a digital projector has further enhanced teaching, seminars, conferences, workshops, and academic presentations within the department.
Perhaps one of the most commendable aspects of Dr. Ettah’s leadership has been his commitment to staff welfare and administrative efficiency. Recognizing the invaluable contributions of part-time lecturers, his administration facilitated the payment of outstanding honoraria to 141 lecturers who had remained unpaid since the department’s inception. This landmark achievement addressed a long-standing issue and restored confidence among adjunct academic staff.
To improve administrative operations, the department procured a multifunctional 3-in-1 photocopier for scanning, printing, and photocopying official documents. Academic staff offices have been equipped with air conditioners, creating a more comfortable working environment, while the Examination Officer received a brand-new HP laptop to enhance the management of examination processes and departmental records.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, Dr. Ettah has worked to strengthen the department’s professional standing. Through sustained advocacy and engagement, the University of Calabar was successfully designated as one of the official examination centres for the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT). This milestone has made professional certification more accessible to students and practitioners within the region.
The administration has also successfully organized two induction ceremonies, eliminating the backlog of graduates awaiting induction into the profession. Furthermore, more than 600 students have graduated during Dr. Ettah’s tenure, substantially reducing the accumulation of graduating students inherited by the administration and ensuring that students complete their academic programmes without unnecessary delays.
Equally important has been the emphasis on institutional culture. Dr. Ettah has championed ethical and behavioural reorientation among staff and students, promoting professionalism, accountability, discipline, and mutual respect. His administration has also maintained a responsive approach to student welfare, ensuring that students’ concerns receive prompt attention and reinforcing confidence in the department’s leadership.
Taken together, these accomplishments paint the picture of a department that is undergoing purposeful renewal. From expanding academic programmes and modernizing infrastructure to improving staff welfare, clearing long-standing backlogs, and enhancing professional recognition, the Department of Science Laboratory Technology has experienced a period of significant progress under Dr. Ivon Ettah’s leadership.
While every administration faces its own unique challenges, the achievements recorded since August 2024 demonstrate what can be accomplished through clear vision, prudent resource management, and an unwavering commitment to institutional development. As the department continues its journey of growth, the foundations laid during this period are expected to serve as a catalyst for even greater academic excellence, research innovation, and professional distinction in the years ahead.