By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The management of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has appointed 14 new directors and three deputy directors to strengthen efficiency and service delivery.
According to Negroid Haven, the appointments were approved by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Offiong Effanga Offiong, and will take effect from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027.
The newly appointed directors include Prof James Ejue of the Department of Guidance and Counselling as Director of Academic Planning; Prof Maurice Ekpenyong of the Department of Microbiology as Director of Research and Development, Dr P. Bessong of the Department of Accounting as Coordinator, Business Ventures; Prof Ekwutosi Offiong as Director of Quality Assurance and Prof Bassey Oben as Director of SERVICOM.
Others are Prof Bassey Offiong Ekpo of the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry as Director, University of Calabar Consultancy Services (UNICALCONS); Prof Offiong Ani Offiong of the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies as Director, Institute of Asian and African Studies; and Prof Saturday Etuk as Director of Alumni Affairs.
In the area of entrepreneurship development, Prof Bassey Ebi of the Department of Economics has been named Academic Director of the Entrepreneurial Development Centre (EDC), with Dr Orok Akainyene Billy of the Department of Banking and Finance appointed as Deputy Academic Director. Prof Aniedi-Abasi Akpan Markson of the Department of Plant and Ecological Studies will serve as Business Director of the Centre, assisted by Dr Fredrick Bassey of the Department of Marketing as Deputy Business Director.
The restructuring of the EDC, according to the University, aligns with the Vice Chancellor’s policy of separating the Centre into Academic and Business divisions to enhance productivity, accountability, and sustainability.
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In related developments, Prof Hodo Riman Bassey has been appointed Director of the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) for a two-year term within the same period, while Dr Eyo Essien has been named Director of the Centre for Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Further appointments include Dr Offiong Oku of Community Medicine as Deputy Director, Academic Planning; Dr Andem Bassey of Economics as Deputy Director, Centre for Educational Services (CES); and Dr Chimezie Ndunagum of Geology as Deputy Director, UNICALCONS.
The Vice Chancellor, in letters of appointment, charged all appointees to align fully with the vision and mission of the current administration and to uphold the University’s core values, standards, and expectations in the discharge of their duties.
The appointments were announced by the Public Relations Unit of the University of Calabar.
