The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has announced a comprehensive round of management appointments, naming new directors and deputy directors across strategic academic and administrative units in a move aimed at strengthening institutional efficiency and service delivery NEGROIDHAVEN has garnered.
The appointments, approved by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Effanga Offiong, take effect from January 1, 2026, and will run until December 31, 2027.
Among the newly appointed directors are Prof. James Ejue of the Department of Guidance and Counselling as Director of Academic Planning, and Prof. Maurice Ekpenyong of the Department of Microbiology as Director of Research and Development.
Others are 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.
Also appointed 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.
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.
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).
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.
