Governor Bassey Otu has received the report of the Technical Committee constituted to review the working environment and broader challenges confronting the University of Cross River State.
The report, containing more than 50 recommendations, was presented to the Governor on Monday at the State Executive Chambers, Governor’s Office, Calabar.
The committee was constituted on June 16, 2026, by Governor Otu, who is the Visitor to the university, and was headed by the Right Reverend Prof. U.U. Effiong.
Members of the committee include Prof. Idongesit Eteng, Dr. Francis Ntamu, Dr. Nicholas Agbor, Prof. Williams Nkanu and Dr. Glory Effiong, while the Accountant General of the State served as Secretary.
At the time the committee was constituted, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, UNICROSS Branch, was already on strike over the implementation of the Federal Government-ASUU agreement, particularly the Consolidated Academic Tool Allowance for academic staff.
The committee, which commenced work without a formal inauguration, submitted an interim report which provided a basis for the Governor’s engagement with the union and other stakeholders. The engagements led to the suspension of the strike, enabling the committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the university.
The committee said the recommendations, if carefully implemented, could improve not only the fortunes of UNICROSS but also the entire tertiary education system in Cross River State.
It noted that some of the recommendations are low-hanging fruits that can be implemented quickly, while others require more resources, planning and sustained commitment.
The committee described the exercise as the first deliberate attempt in the university’s 24-year history to examine its challenges holistically rather than treating them one at a time.
It called for support, patience and understanding from all stakeholders, stressing that the objective should be to address the root causes of the problems confronting the institution rather than the symptoms.
The committee expressed appreciation to the Governor for the opportunity to serve, and to the Chairman of the Governing Council, Ntufam Dr. Fidelis Ugbo, and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Bassey, as well as the university community, for their cooperation.
