9th substantive Vice Chancellor of UNIUYO, Prof. Christopher Nyong Ekong
For Prof. Christopher Nyong Ekong, who was recently inaugurated as the 9th substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), a public institution of higher learning solely funded by the Federal Government, his appointment did not come on a silver platter.
Ordinarily, Ekong’s appointment should not attract much attention and could easily have been overlooked. However, coming after a prolonged tussle and alleged “plots to manipulate the Vice Chancellorship race against him,” it is important to place the issues in proper perspective and examine how his resilience ultimately paid off.
As the tenure of the immediate past Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nyaudo Ndaeyo, who assumed office in 2020, approached its expiration in December 2025, efforts began to appoint a successor. However, the process was punctuated by intrigues, delays and vested interests to the extent that, when his tenure elapsed, the Governing Council was unable to announce the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor.
As expected, the Federal Ministry of Education subsequently announced the appointment of Prof. Samuel Odewumi, a retired professor of transportation, as Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo at the beginning of this year.
Therefore, when Ekong, a professor of Economics, was formally presented to the public on June 16 following his appointment by the Governing Council and confirmation by the Federal Government, the people’s joy knew no bounds, making the occasion particularly significant.
First, it brought to an end months of acrimony, infighting and misgivings within the university community and produced the candidate who was most preferred by the majority of senior members of the academic community and indeed by the Governing Council.
Secondly, Ekong, who hails from Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, became the first indigene of the area to assume such an exalted office, bringing to an end years of agitation and clamour for a son or daughter of Uyo to occupy the position. Little wonder his appointment was widely celebrated, both when it was first announced and on the day of his inauguration.
According to Muiz Banire, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Ekong’s appointment is a testament to the fact that the voice of the people is the voice of God, adding: “He is not a gown alone; he is a professor of Economics. He should know how to revamp the funding of the University.”
Ekong served as Chief Economic Adviser to the Akwa Ibom State Government and was also a member of the State Executive Council during the administrations of former governors Victor Attah and Godswill Akpabio between 1999 and 2011. He can therefore be aptly described as a perfect blend of the gown and the town.
For Odewumi, the outgoing Acting Vice Chancellor, who was widely praised for restoring stability to the university and for displaying an unparalleled sense of duty and commitment during his six-month tenure, the new Vice Chancellor is brilliant, knowledgeable, exposed and intelligent, and is well positioned to attract development to the institution.
Because of the goodwill generated by Ekong’s appointment, his inauguration took place in a carnival-like atmosphere at the university’s main campus, attracting prominent dignitaries, royal fathers, cultural troupes, youth groups and various organisations.
Unveiling his vision for the university, Ekong, who had previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Chairman of the Committee of Deans, outlined several projects and programmes he intends to implement, including the promotion of transparency, accountability and performance-driven management.
“The University of Uyo possesses immense potential. Together, we shall build stronger institutions defined by innovation, accountability, academic excellence and service to humanity,” he stated.
Other initiatives he plans to pursue include the introduction of Public-Private Partnerships for the management of students’ hostels, the rehabilitation of existing hostel facilities to improve living conditions, and a review of academic processes aimed at enhancing efficiency and quality assurance.
Ekong’s appointment as the 9th substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo was marked by intrigues, plots and factional interests. However, his emergence appears to have ushered in a new era of hope, stability and restoration within the academic community of one of Nigeria’s foremost citadels of learning.
