Why Chris Ekong’s inauguration as UNIUYO’s 9th substantive Vice Chancellor matters

The appointment of a Vice Chancellor of any University should not be a big deal but that of Christopher Ekong cannot be ignored as it came after much protracted tussle

For Christopher Nyong Ekong, who was recently inaugurated as the 9th substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, 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 ignored but coming after much protracted tussle, and “plots to manipulate the Vice Chancellorship race against him,’’ it calls for putting all the issues in proper perspectives and how his resilience paid off handsomely at the end of it all.

When the tenure of the immediate past Vice Chancellor, Nyaudo Ndaeyo who assumed office in 2020 was about to expire in December 2025, his administration began moves for the appointment of a Vice Chancellor, but the move was punctuated with intrigues, delays and vested interest to the extent that when his tenure elapsed, the governing council could not announce the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor.

As expected, the federal ministry of education announced the appointment of Samuel Odewumi, a retired professor of transportation as the acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo beginning early this year.

So, when on June 16, Ekong, a professor of Economics, was formally presented as the new Vice Chancellor to the public following his appointment by the Governing Council and confirmation by the federal government, the joy of the people knew bounds as it became significant in many years.

First, it brought to an end months of acrimony, in-fighting and misgivings within the University community and threw up the candidate who was the most preferred by majority of the 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 becomes the first indigene of the area to assume such an exalted office, bringing to an end years of agitation and the clamour for an Uyo son or daughter to be so appointed. Little wonder his appointment was widely celebrated not only on his day of inauguration but also when his appointment was first announced.

According to Muiz Banire, the pro-chancellor/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 that “he is not a gown alone, he is a professor of Economics, he should know how to revamp the funding of the University.”

Ekong has served as the chief economic adviser to the Akwa Ibom State government as well as being a member of the state executive council during the tenure of both former governors Victor Attah and Godswill Akpabio between 1999 and 2011, so he could be aptly described as a perfect blend of the gown and town.

For Odewumi, the outgoing acting Acting Vice Chancellor who was loudly lauded for restoring stability to the University and for displaying an unparalleled sense of duty and commitment in his assignment that lasted about six months, the new Vice Chancellor is brilliant, knowledgeable, exposed and intelligent who will be in a position to attract development to the University.

Because of the goodwill that Ekong’s appointment attracted, his inauguration took place in a carnival-like atmosphere at the University’s main campus, attracting prominent dignitaries, royal fathers, cultural dances, youth groups and various organisations.

Unveiling his vision for the University, Ekong who had previously served as dean, faculty of social sciences and chairman, committee of deans enumerated many projects and programmes he would 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 programmes that he would embark upon include the introduction of Public-Private Partnership for the management of students’ hostels, rehabilitation of existing hostel facilities to improve living conditions and the review of the academic process to improve efficiency and quality assurance.

Ekong’s appointment as the 9th substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo was marked by intrigues, plots and factionalisation of groups and interest but his emergence appears to bring hope and restoration to the academic community at one of the foremost citadels of learning in the country.