The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has disclosed that it is awaiting a final directive from the state Governor and Visitor to the institution, Bassey Otu, to resolve the lingering issue of land encroachment affecting the university.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Francisca Bassey, made this known during the institution’s 123rd Regular Senate Meeting held on Friday in Calabar.
Bassey explained that the university management had already taken steps to address the encroachment, but noted that a definitive resolution requires the intervention and final directive of the Visitor, given the sensitive nature of the land dispute.
She stated that the encroachment poses a significant threat to the university’s master plan, future expansion, and overall developmental objectives. According to her, protecting the institution’s land assets is critical to accommodating the growing population of students and staff, as well as executing proposed infrastructural projects.
“We have reported the matter appropriately, and management is currently awaiting a final directive from the Visitor, Governor Bassey Edet Otu, on the way forward,” she said.
The Vice Chancellor expressed confidence in the governor’s commitment to the growth and development of the university, noting that his prompt intervention would safeguard the institution’s properties and ensure that its academic and infrastructural expansion is not hindered.
She urged relevant stakeholders and host communities to respect the university’s boundaries and cooperate with the management in maintaining a peaceful and conducive environment for learning.
The issue of land encroachment was one of the key highlights of the Senate meeting, which also featured the promotion of 16 academic staff to the ranks of Reader and Professor, the approval of the 2026/2027 academic session calendar, and the finalisation of the foreign scholarship programme for eight students traveling to Cyprus.
