UNIUYO VC Warns Against ‘Cutting Corners’, Vows Five-Year Turnaround

• Prof Ekong vows to tackle infrastructure, staffing, accommodation and service gaps

• VC warns faculties against using accreditation as a weapon of agitation

• New ICT system to allow lecturers to submit students’ results from anywhere.

September 10 (THEWILL) – The Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof Christopher Ekong, has declared a new era in the institution, warning that his administration will not tolerate “cutting corners” in infrastructure, academic administration and other aspects of the university’s operations.

Ekong, who spoke during the conclusion of a town hall meeting with stakeholders across the university’s Town Campus, Medical School and Main Campus, said his administration was determined to address the challenges confronting the institution and improve its fortunes within his five-year tenure.

The town hall meetings provided a platform for academic and non-academic staff to openly present their grievances, make requests and offer suggestions, with the Vice Chancellor responding to issues raised by stakeholders.

At the Main Campus, Ekong expressed appreciation for the opportunity to hear directly from members of the university community, saying the exercise had demonstrated that staff could freely express their concerns under his administration.

The UniUyo VC assured stakeholders that the management would provide necessary amenities according to the availability of funds, while cautioning faculties and departments against turning accreditation exercises into avenues for agitation.

On the university’s accommodation challenges, the Vice Chancellor pledged to provide accommodation across the institution, while expressing concern over the quality of some projects executed by contractors under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

He particularly criticised contractors for allegedly cutting corners in the execution of projects, resulting in buildings being delivered without essential facilities such as toilets and critical furnishings.

Ekong also addressed concerns over manpower shortages in faculties and departments, promising to present the staffing gaps to the appropriate authorities and fill essential positions based on approved quotas.

He, however, warned against compromising merit in the recruitment process, urging those responsible for filling approved positions not to use the opportunity to favour relatives, friends or cronies who do not meet the required standards.

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The Vice Chancellor further announced plans to outsource some services as part of efforts to improve efficiency, adding that his administration would ensure that casual workers in the institution earn the minimum wage.

On sanitation, Ekong said a more effective cleaning mechanism will be introduced across the campuses but urged staff to take personal responsibility for keeping their offices and immediate environments clean to prevent the spread of diseases.

The Vice Chancellor disclosed that the production of identity cards had been reduced to 24 hours since he assumed office.

The university’s Director of ICT corroborated the development and warned staff and students against patronising quacks and scammers for the production of identity cards.

The ICT Director also announced a new results compilation system that would enable lecturers to submit students’ results from anywhere in the world, a development expected to improve efficiency and reduce delays in academic administration.

Ekong also charged the Faculty of Engineering to become more proactive by taking responsibility for minor repairs on roads within the university campuses.

He said his administration would continue to identify areas where internal capacity could be deployed to reduce dependence on external service providers.

The Vice Chancellor, who described the ongoing changes as the beginning of a “new era” in the University of Uyo, reiterated that he would not tolerate cutting corners in administration or project execution.

The UniUyo VC pledged to use his five-year tenure to turn around the fortunes of the institution to the best of his ability.

Prof Ekong assumed office as the ninth substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo on July 1, 2026.