PROFILE OF PROFESSOR FRANCISCA BASSEY, FIRST FEMALE UNICAL VC
By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – Professor Francisca Bassey, an illustrious scholar and transformational academic leader, was born in Calabar to Efik parents (Hon. Chief & Mrs Umo E. Okon of Eto Mkpe – Yellow Duke family) Cross River State, Nigeria.
She attended the prestigious University of Lagos where she obtained a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry, proceeded for National Service with Nigerian Air Force at the Tactical Air Command, where she earned the first ever BEST CORPER AWARD, for introducing and facilitating the Educational Welfare Programme for the military personnel, reviewing curriculum for all schools in the states under the command amongst other innovative achievements.
She later returned home, enrolled for and obtained an EMBA, MSc and PhD in Organic Chemistry with distinction, jointly supervised by the University of Calabar and the American University of Georgia, USA, under the American Fulbright scholarship scheme. Her doctoral thesis was shortlisted as the best in her faculty and nominated for the Nigerian Universities Doctoral Thesis Award Scheme. (NUDTAS). She also has a post-doctoral diploma in Education (PDDE).
Prof Bassey has over 50 peer-reviewed scientific research publications and has presented scientific papers at top-tier conferences in the U.S.A., Nigeria and across Africa, with an impressive citation count of over one thousand three hundred. Her research work on food shelf-life study, PAH contamination, toxicology, etc, led to the mounting of the Food Chemistry programme in her department, where she remains the first and only Professor of Food Chemistry to date.
Her innovations in academic technology have transformed institutional operations. As Deputy Dean of her Faculty and later as pioneer Director, Pre-Degree program, she initiated at UNICAL the use of biometric verification to check attendance and screen students for exams, enhancing academic integrity. She also introduced the electronically marked paper-based test mode of examination, which enables transparency, restoring the hitherto lost confidence of students in the system.
Under her leadership, a quality assurance unit was also established to enforce academic standards for staff and students alike. She also initiated the expansion of the pre-degree program to admit students into the College of Medical Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering, for the first time in the history of the University.
Later as the first female Director of Centre for General Studies, she introduced virtual lectures (the first in the university’s history) and published YouTube-based content for GSS courses. She also pioneered Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for regular students, enabling daily release of exam results, a first in the university’s history. She also served as Director of the Centre for Educational Services, where she left for her current state assignment.
Prof Bassey is a Fellow of the Fulbright Alumni Association, a Chartered Chemist and a member of several editorial boards and professional bodies, including ASUU Science Journal, ASUU Scholar Magazine, the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chemical Society of Nigeria and Nigerian Environmental Society.
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One of Prof Bassey’s notable achievements is the establishment of the American Corner, which has been upgraded to the ‘US Educational Advisory Centre’, supervising the American Corners in all South-South states of Nigeria. This selfless initiative of Prof Bassey has enabled many youths to undertake leadership training as well as enrollment in degree Programs with scholarships from higher institutions in the United States.
Prof Bassey was appointed the female substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State on 17 July 2025. She championed infrastructural renewal, ICT-driven academic reforms and staff accountability, while improving student welfare and campus safety. Under her leadership, transformative initiatives enhanced institutional efficiency, international collaboration and fostered a culture of innovation towards greater transparency, excellence and sustainable growth in UNICROSS.
Prof Bassey has also enhanced her leadership and professional competencies through several international and local capacity-building programs. She has participated in numerous leadership and institutional management trainings in the United States and other parts of the world including the Commonwealth of Learning Review and Improvement Model(COL-RIM). Through her NGO, Empower 360 Humanity Initiative, she has demonstrated a deep, action-driven commitment to education, youth empowerment and community development.
Beyond her academic environment, she is also a member of the revered Obong of Calabar Executive Forum (OCEF), eminent road marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corp and a United Nations Peace Ambassador.
A passionate educator, reformist and advocate for equity and academic excellence, Professor Bassey is also a mother of three lovely children, whom she has nurtured alongside the many other lives she mentors daily through her leadership and personal generosity. Her legacy is defined by her commitment to integrity, institutional transformation, youth development and nation-building.
