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Prof. Offiong E. Offiong was born in Calabar
on November 6, 1963. In 1974, and completed his Primary Education with a Distinction.
He then attended Hope Waddell Training Institution, Calabar, where he sat and passed with Division–One WASC (1979). Prof. Offiong holds a B.Sc (Hon) degree in Chemistry
(1984) from University of Calabar where he graduated with
Second Class ( Upper Division).
In 1990 he obtained his
Ph.D in Coordination/Inorganic Chemistry
from the same
department, University of Calabar, supported by DAAD in Germany with a scholarship to conduct laboratory bench work in Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.
Prof Offiong also holds a Certificate in Equipment Maintenance (1991) from Bristol Polytechnic, Bristol, UK.
After his successful mandatory National Service (NYSC) in
the University of Ibadan, Prof Offiong started his lecturing career in 1985 as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Chemistry, University of Calabar and rose to the rank of Professor in Coordination/Inorganic Chemistry in 2002.
Offiong has successfully supervised 7 Masters and 13 Ph.D theses in the University. One of the PhD theses won the National Universities Commission’s Award of “Best Thesis in
Physical Sciences in Nigerian Universities in 2012”.
As a true scholar, he has been a mentor to many budding Academics especially in the field of Inorganic Chemistry. Many of his former Graduate Students are now Professors and others high ranking Academics in Nigerian Universities and abroad.
One of them is the current Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Calabar.
Prof Offiong is an astute Academic/ Researcher with over 70 Research articles/publications in Peer-review journals
cited in high impact databases. He had been
Postgraduate/Undergraduate External Examiner in many Universities across the country including; UNIUYO, MOUA, BSU, UNIABUJA, UNN and presently in RSU.
He has also served the University system in several capacities
including; Sub-Dean , Faculty of Science, Dean Faculty of Science, Dean of Students’ Affairs, Member, Governing
Council of the University of Calabar (2000 – 2004), Member, UCISS Governing Borad, Member, Central Admission Committee, Member, Centre for Educational Services, Member, University of Calabar Reformation and Implementation Committee, Member, Committee in the development of School of Pharmacy, Unical.
Chairman and Zonal Coordinator ASUU, National Vice President ASUU among others.
A celebrated Academic whose spirit of assistance spans
through different human endeavours, Prof. Offiong also shared his passion and acumen in public service.
Between 2007 and 2015, he served as Commissioner for Education, Cross River State. During this period, the Schools across the
18 LGAs witnessed massive infrastructural transformation, the first of its kind. The performance of CRS Students in WASCE rose from 22nd position to 7th and 6th in 2012 and
2013 respectively.
His contributions to the establishment of
the prestigious Institute of Technology and Management (ITM), Ugep and the reopening of previously closed down
State-owned College of Education in Akamkpa speak volume to elucidate his sterling qualities and passion for education and scholarship.
He was the Chairman of All States Commissioner of Education in Nigeria from 2009 to 2015.
Prof. Offiong served in the Presidential Task Force on Education with the mandate of implementing a
transformation agenda in Nigeria education system (2011 – 2014).
His love for academic and human resource development knows no bounds; as a Commissioner, Prof. Offiong still rendered services free as an Academic by teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses and successfully supervised ten (10) Graduate theses during this period despite the fact that he was on Leave of Absence.
Prof. Offiong has won several international Fellowships/
Awards through which he visited many laboratories/
Institutions and Universities in Italy, France, Germany,
Russia, United States of America, United Kingdom, India, United Arab Emirates, Finland among others.
As part of his community and humanitarian services, he is the immediate Past President of the Boys Brigade Nigeria (BBN), CRS Council (2013 to 2019). He is currently the Chairman of Education committee in the Obong of Calabar.
Executive Forum. Prof. Offiong is married to his heart–throb Dr. (Mrs.) Ame l. Offiong; the marriage is blessed with three beautiful children; Efanga, Asa and Eme.
Prof. Offiong has clearly demonstrated profound and purposeful leadership as an administrator, academic and above all a role model for young people in his thirty-five years as a Lecturer.
He has also served the state in the following capacities;
Consultant/Resource person, CREPA/FEPA on World Bank sponsored Environmental Action Plan for CRS.
Consultant/Resource person to the Min. of Agric & Water Resources, CRS.
Member & (Chairman, Sub-Committee on staffing) local accreditation to CRUTECH.
Member, Education sub-committee, CRS transition committee.
Chairman, Education & Social services cluster, CRS, comprising 11 MADs.
Leader, CRS delegation on a study Tour to Educational Institutions in India.
Leader, CRS delegation o a 5-day learning journey to University of Jyvaskyla, Finland.
Member, CRS delegation on sister state relationship visit to the state of Maryland, USA.
Leader, CRS delegation on a Study Tour of Highbury College, Portsmouth, UK.
At the national level, Offiong also served as;
Associate Consultant in Environmental Chemistry to Shell Producing Nig Limited (West)
Consultant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) on Gas emission project.
Member, NUC committee on Development of Basic Minimum Academic Standards for post graduate programme in Nigerian Universities.
Member, Presidential Task Team on Education.
Member, Implementation on the Presidential Task Team report on Education.
Member, Fed Govt of Nigeria delegation to Highbury College, Portsmouth.
Member, Fed Govt of Nigeria delegation to the all Ministerial 2013 World Bank/International Monetary Fund Spring meeting with E-9 countries at Washington DC, USA.
With these experiences, he would make a good Vice Chancellor if entrusted with the responsibility.
