After a prolonged leadership crisis in the University of Cross River State, UNICROSS, the Visitor to the University, Governor Bassey Otu, took decisive action on February 26, 2025, by appointing Prof. Francisca Bassey, a highly regarded, results-oriented administrator as Acting Vice Chancellor. Her outstanding performance during this interim period paved the way for her confirmation as substantive VC on July 17, 2025, where, in a rigorous interview process, she emerged top among contenders, impressing the Governing Council with her clear articulation of a practical and ambitious vision, coupled with the undeniable evidence of her exceptional achievements in just five months as Acting VC.
315 days at the helm, Prof. Bassey has proven the Visitor right in his judgment to appoint her as the second substantive female VC of the institution. Bassey, a Professor of organic chemistry has orchestrated a symphony of transformations across all campuses, turning challenges into opportunities and elevating the institution’s stature. Her energetic approach is not only addressing long-standing infrastructural deficits but also fostering an environment ripe for academic excellence and innovation.
From the outset, Prof. Bassey prioritized campus safety and visibility, securing and installing solar 100 street lights around the main campus and staff quarters at no cost to the university. This initiative has dramatically reduced nighttime hazards, allowing students and staff to navigate freely after dark. Illuminating pathways that were once shrouded in darkness has instilled a sense of security that permeates daily university life.
Water scarcity, a perennial plague at the Okuku Campus, was swiftly tackled through a comprehensive water project. Reactivating the borehole and reticulating water directly to hostels has ensured a reliable supply, alleviating the burdens on students who previously struggled with basic needs. This achievement not only enhances living conditions but also supports academic focus, as hydrated and comfortable learners perform better, marking a pivotal step toward holistic student welfare under her stewardship.
Also, to enhance security, she has successfully lobbied and secured approval for a police station at Okuku Campus to deter threats and create a safer learning environment.
Prof. Bassey’s strategic thinking was relished in recovering the former Heritage Bank building, now repurposed for the CRUTECH Micro Finance Bank. This initiative has streamlined financial services on campus, providing accessible banking for the university community and generating internal revenue streams. Reclaiming this asset is a clear demonstration on how resourceful leadership can transform idle properties into vibrant economic hubs, directly benefiting the institution’s financial health and operational efficiency.
Nevertheless, in a historic first for the Ogoja Campus, she secured a building now under renovation to serve as the inaugural hostel accommodation. This breakthrough addresses the long-standing issue of student housing shortages, enabling more learners to reside on-site and immerse themselves in campus life. The impact is transformative as it’ll reduce commute-related stresses and enhance a stronger sense of community, which in turn elevates retention rates and academic engagement.
In a bid to give a facelift to the university’s main entrance gate, Prof. Bassey has secured the commitment of Zenith Bank Management to remodel the gate to enhance its aesthetic appeal. This facelift not only beautifies the institution’s facade but also signals a commitment to making a lasting first impression on visitors, prospective students, and stakeholders. Such enhancements elevate UNICROSS’s brand, capable of attracting partnerships and investments that propel future growth.
Her negotiation prowess secured NDDC’s approval for renovating and reconstructing of the abandoned 500-unit hostel in Calabar campus. She has also secured Tetfund approval for the complete renovation of the university auditorium, revitalizing a key venue for events, lectures, and cultural activities.
Accreditation readiness was bolstered through the renovation and furnishing of offices for Heads of Departments. There’s also an ongoing project to furnish and make Heads of Departments offices ensuite. These upgraded spaces provide conducive environments for administrative work and ensuring smoother operations as well as compliance with standards. The ripple effect is a more efficient faculty, empowered to deliver top-tier education.
Similarly, she has commenced the renovation and standard furnishing of offices for Deans, starting with those of Environmental Sciences and Biological Sciences. Beyond giving these important expanded management staff a conducive environment to work, she aims to create hubs for strategic planning and research coordination with the initiative.
Also, several lecture halls have received much-needed attention with the reconstruction and repair of seats that have now transformed worn-out venues into comfortable learning spaces. This upgrade minimizes distractions, enhances attendance, and supports interactive teaching methods, ultimately raising the bar for educational delivery. Her emphasis on these fundamentals reflects a deep understanding that quality infrastructure is the bedrock of academic success.
Moreso, laboratories are being constructed, equipment to furnish, and equipped existing ones to provide state-of-the-art facilities for hands-on learning in sciences and technology have been procured and installation is ongoing. These advancements bridge the gap between theory and practice and have equipped students with practical skills that enhance employability and research output.
Wellness took centre stage with the construction, furnishing, and equipping of a modern gym for the department of Human Kinetics. This is even as she secured the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission’s licence for the department of Broadcasting to operate the university radio station. Essential studio equipment was also provided.
Besides, the abandoned Ogoja Campus guest house has been reconstructed, renovated, and converted into classrooms and staff offices, with four buildings fully furnished and a dwarf fence under construction to prevent encroachment and bush fires.
To enhance the institution’s IGR, the Bassey’s administration has established a 10-hectare oil palm plantation in Okuku Campus, which is set to expand to 30 hectares this year. The Centre for entrepreneurship development has also been equipped to collaborate with some departments technical departments to go into several businesses like furniture making, blocks production, fashion designing, welding, etc. Equipments for all these and those to set up bakery and photo studio for business and hands-on training of students on vocational skills are already on ground and being installed.
Also, she has secured the Governor’s approval for intra-campus road construction and a mini stadium to improve accessibility and recreational facilities. Better roads facilitate smoother logistics, while the stadium promotes sports and fitness. For a university that has long decried government’s lack of investment in infrastructure, in less than a year in office, she has changed this narrative.
Notwithstanding, staff welfare improved markedly with the implementation of the new minimum wage and improved subvention to ensure fair compensation that motivates employees. And to boost staff morale, she organized the first ever staff week in UNICROSS where outstanding staff were celebrated and presented with awards and gifts.
A monumental 4 billion Naira Public Private Partnership has been secured for a hostel project to address accommodation deficits on a grand scale. Existing Students hostels across campuses are under renovation, demonstrating her administration’s commitment to students welfare.
Under her watch also, she has seen to the creation of a new Faculty of Computing to advance technological education that equips students for the digital age. While the Faculty is currently making use of a temporary venue, approval has been secured for the construction of a state-of-the-art building for the new faculty.
Also, long-abandoned structures like the Art Exhibition building and Wood Products Engineering building are currently being renovated, reviving specialized spaces for creative and engineering pursuits. These restorations preserve heritage while enabling modern usage, enriching curricula and inspiring artistic and technical excellence.
Similarly, e-learning at UNICROSS has been revolutionized through the procurement of six state-of-the-art interactive boards, creating cutting-edge facilities that seamlessly blend technology with teaching and learning. Under Prof. Bassey’s leadership, all three campuses have been elevated into fully smart campuses, bolstered by reliable, high-speed internet infrastructure that drives superior teaching, groundbreaking research, and seamless collaboration. This comprehensive digital transformation has powerfully enhanced remote and hybrid learning models, rendering quality education far more accessible, engaging, and inclusive, dramatically broadening the university’s reach and ensuring its adaptability in today’s rapidly evolving academic world.
Another longstanding challenge inherited from previous administrations, the dysfunctional student results viewing portal has been decisively resolved. Prof. Bassey oversaw the meticulous migration and integration of over five million results covering more than five academic sessions. Today, students can effortlessly access and view their results from the comfort of their homes or anywhere with internet connection, eliminating needless travel, reducing administrative bottlenecks, and bringing immense relief and convenience to the entire student body.
Senate meetings have been elevated to a fully hybrid format, allowing members from distant campuses to participate effectively without the burden of traveling to Calabar. This thoughtful innovation has delivered substantial cost savings for the university while minimizing the risks associated with long-distance travel for staff. The General Studies Examinations that used to be a challenge has been addressed as students can now write a computer-based exams and see their results immediately upon clicking the submit button.
Her administration has also forged strategic collaborations with prestigious local and international institutions, including Zhenjiang College in China and the Soho-Skyrun Group, to foster robust academic exchanges, cutting-edge research partnerships, and valuable industrial training opportunities for students and staff. Additionally, a landmark partnership with the Nigerian Air Force has opened doors for specialized training programmes benefiting both students and faculty.
Building on this momentum, vocational training has surged forward with the procurement of advanced drones, high quality still cameras, and professional video cameras. These state-of-the-art tools are dedicated to equipping students with in-demand skills in photography, cinematography, and related fields that directly bridge the gap between academia and industry. Beyond empowering graduates with marketable expertise that enhances employability, these initiatives are aimed at generating internal revenue through innovative training programmes and services.
Indeed, with these mouthwatering achievements in just ten months, Prof. Bassey has raised the bar to unprecedented heights. Her visionary leadership has not only delivered visible, lasting impact in UNICROSS but also laid a solid foundation for sustained excellence. The future under her stewardship promises even greater milestones, more innovative projects, stronger partnerships, and deeper empowerment for students, staff, and the entire university community. The institution is on an upward trajectory, and she is undeniably the driving force behind this new era of progress.
