Prof. Zana Akpagu, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Calabar
By Frank Ulom
A detailed account of the career of Ntufam Prof. Zana Akpagu has brought renewed attention to a public service trajectory defined by sustained academic excellence, administrative leadership, and broad-based recognition across institutions and communities.
The record, spanning over five decades, presents Prof. Akpagu as a scholar and administrator whose honours reflect long-standing contributions rather than ceremonial pursuits. It traces a progression from early academic distinction to national and international recognition, underscoring a career shaped by consistent performance and institutional impact.
His foundation of excellence was established during his secondary education at Mary Knoll College, Okuku, where he received the South Eastern State Government Scholarship in 1976 and 1977. This early recognition continued at the University of Calabar between 1980 and 1982, where he was a beneficiary of the Cross River Government Bursary Award. Upon graduation, he emerged as the Best Graduating Student in Languages, earning the Dr E. N. Amaku Prize.
Prof. Akpagu has maintained active engagement in academic scholarship throughout his career. He holds memberships in several professional bodies, including the Association for the Study of Caribbean and African Literature in French (United Kingdom), the Modern Languages Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian University French Teachers Association, and the Association of Research in Education and Humanities.
His interdisciplinary reach is further reflected in fellowships conferred by professional institutions. These include Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria (2014), Fellow of the Institute of Policy Management Development (2015), Fellow of Security and Forensic Studies Nigeria (2019), and Honorary Fellow of the Association of Educational Management and Policy Practitioners (2024).
Recognition of his service began early. In 1980, he received an Award of Honour from the Students’ Union Government of the University of Calabar for diligence and devotion as a student legislator. Over the years, multiple student and youth organisations acknowledged his contributions, including the Linguistics Student Association, Faculty of Arts Students Association, National Association of Cross River Students, and the Nigerian Organisation for Youth Advancement.
By the mid-2000s, his influence had expanded beyond student circles. Civic and professional bodies, including the Rotaract Club of Calabar South and the Nigerian Union of Campus Journalists, honoured him for service and societal impact. The Faculty of Law at the University of Calabar also recognised his contributions to institutional and community development.
His tenure as the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, beginning in 2015, marked a significant phase of intensified recognition. Various institutions, including St. Paul’s Parish, the Federal College of Education, Obudu, and faculties within the university, acknowledged his leadership and contributions.
The period also recorded notable institutional reforms. These included expansion of infrastructure, introduction of campus-wide information and communication technology systems, improved welfare policies for staff and students, and enforcement of administrative accountability measures. His administration also emphasised discipline, with a stated zero-tolerance stance on social vices.
On 20 August 2017, he was named Best Vice-Chancellor in Nigeria, a recognition attributed to measurable institutional performance and governance outcomes.
Beyond academia, Prof. Akpagu’s influence extended into community and professional spheres. Organisations such as the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, the Nigerian Medical Association (Cross River State branch), and the Catholic Archdiocese of Calabar recognised his contributions to education, healthcare advocacy, and community service. Traditional communities, including Bebuagbong and Ipong, also honoured him for leadership and development efforts.
His impact received international acknowledgement in 2019 when he was named Outstanding Education Leader of the Year in the United Kingdom.
At the conclusion of his tenure in 2020, the Students’ Union Government of the University of Calabar described him as “the 10th Extraordinary Vice-Chancellor,” reflecting student perceptions of his administration.
Prof. Akpagu’s career is defined by consistent validation from academic institutions, professional bodies, and community organisations over an extended period. It positions his legacy within a framework of documented achievements, highlighting a pattern of recognition rooted in service delivery and institutional development.
