Barely a week after assuming office, the 12th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, has demonstrated a remarkable sense of urgency, direction, and purposeful leadership, signaling a new era for the institution.
From reorganizing administrative culture to reviving abandoned projects and securing major digital partnerships, the new VC has begun laying the foundation for a more secure, efficient, and technologically driven University.
Setting the tone for culture of discipline and responsible communication within days of resuming duty, Prof. Offiong convened a strategic meeting with his immediate administrative staff, including the Central Administration and the Information/Public Relations Unit.
The session set a new tone for leadership under his watch, one defined by discipline, punctuality, dedication, and professional excellence to duty.
He emphasized that those who work directly with the Vice-Chancellor carry a special responsibility in shaping the institution’s (UNICAL’s) internal and external image.
To foster a culture of accountability and motivation, he announced that his “Thank You Engagements”,a system of recognizing hard work would be introduced periodically and tied to measurable performance.
He further underscored the importance of consistent, accurate communication through weekly or monthly bulletins to keep the University community properly informed.
The Vice-Chancellor’s proactive start has already sparked enthusiasm across campus, with staff and students expressing satisfaction and optimism about the direction his leadership is taking.
In another decisive move within his first week, Prof. Offiong led the University into a landmark partnership with Opay Digital Services Limited to establish a modern Cybersecurity Laboratory on campus.
The MoU, signed at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room, marks a major step in strengthening digital security, expanding hands-on learning opportunities, and positioning UNICAL as a regional hub for cybersecurity training.
Prof. Offiong affirmed that the initiative aligns seamlessly with his commitment to innovation, industry-driven learning, and digital resilience. The lab is expected to empower students with critical cybersecurity skills while enhancing the University’s capacity to safeguard institutional data.
The development has been widely welcomed by the university community, with many students expressing excitement about the new learning opportunities the partnership will unlock.
Also within the week and In a display of hands-on governance, Prof. Offiong embarked on an extensive inspection tour of key infrastructure projects across the campus demonstrating his resolve to tackle long-standing challenges head-on.
The 12th Vice Chancellor of the institution, inspected the ongoing perimeter fencing project, describing it as vital to campus safety. While commending existing interventions, he emphasized the need for stronger, more coordinated security infrastructure.
At the site of the 1,200-bed PP Hostel and other housing initiatives, he reaffirmed that expanding student accommodation is a top priority. The move many described as closing the Gap in Student Accommodation.
The former National Vice President (South) of Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU), stressed the importance of keeping students in secure, University-managed spaces, especially in a time of heightened security concerns nationwide.
A notable highlight of the tour was his
passion towards reviving the institution’s abandoned and stalled projects not excluding the main library project, which has been dormant for years.
Prof. Offiong expressed confidence in its revival, noting that restoring the library to full functionality is essential to the academic excellence UNICAL strives for.
He also revealed that his administration is cataloguing all abandoned projects across the institution, with plans to engage intervention agencies such as the NDDC and the Needs Assessment Unit to facilitate their completion.
For transparency and to ensure that projects meet required standards, the VC announced that management will frequently conduct on-site inspections instead of relying solely on written reports.
He stressed that while contractors have shown effort, the new administration will not allow complacency until every targeted project is fully delivered.
Also, in a significant national engagement during his first week in office, the Vice-Chancellor hosted the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who was on campus for personal engagements, including the defence of his doctoral thesis.
Prof. Offiong applauded the lawmaker’s outstanding contributions to national development and legislative excellence, describing him as an inspiring figure whose accomplishments continue to motivate students across the University.
The Deputy Speaker’s decision to return to UNICAL for his PhD, despite having studied globally, was highlighted as a testament to the quality and credibility of the institution.
The Deputy Speaker, in turn, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the University for the rigorous mentorship and academic support that shaped his doctoral journey.
He noted that UNICAL remains a strong foundation for intellectual growth, national service, and policy influence, emphasizing that the knowledge acquired in the institution is already contributing meaningfully to legislative work at the national level.
His visit, coming so early into the VC’s administration, was widely regarded as a boost to the University’s reputation and a reaffirmation of its national relevance.
Adding to the positive momentum of his first week, the Vice-Chancellor also ordered the reopening of the long-closed gates leading to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital am other access points that had remained shut for nearly a year.
The directive was met with jubilation across campus, as staff and students celebrated the restoration of free movement, improved accessibility, and a renewed sense of normalcy. The decision was praised as a compassionate, student-centred leadership action that reflects the VC’s commitment to welfare, security, and institutional harmony.
Staff and students who witnessed the early flurry of activities expressed heartfelt appreciation, describing the VC’s pace as refreshing, inspiring, and indicative of a leader who is ready to move UNICAL forward.
This is indeed, a promising start to a transformative tenure because In just one week, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong has demonstrated clarity of vision, strong administrative energy, and a commitment to excellence that has ignited renewed hope within the University community.
With strengthened leadership structures, revived infrastructural projects, and forward-looking digital partnerships, the University of Calabar is clearly entering a new chapter, one marked by action, innovation, and unwavering dedication to the welfare of staff and students.
Agare Onoriode Israel
Information/Public Relations Unit
University of Calabar University for his doctoral thesis defence.