UNICAL VC’ship: Is South being petty?

By Frank Ulom

Barely six months (1st Dec. 2025) to the election of the new Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), the media space has been crowded with all sorts of agitations, especially from the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, that, it is their turn. Huh?

Those shouting “Back-to-South” for the VC’ship are mostly from a certain tribe, even though we have other tribes in the District. No offence, it is what it is.

I detest tribalism and religiosity because it has cost us more harm than good as a country, and this 2025, I thought things would be different, but it’s getting worse daily. We play the cards of selfish politicians who divide and rule us by creating Senatorial Districts, Geopolitical Zones, etc. When are we going to say, “Enough is enough; we are tired of being used?” When?

At the Federal – we talk of zoning; at the State – we talk of zoning. Now, at the citadels of hope (our precious institutions), we are also talking about zoning. Will the country go extinct before we’ll realise how bad the game we’re playing is?

What happened to that Nigeria where competent, intellect, intelligence, innovation, etc, is(are) put first? Where everyone doesn’t think of who sits at the helm of affairs but what the person offers. Where is that Nigeria?

It pains me to see how people who call themselves Cross Riverians whip out insults, curses, and abuses on those calling for things to be done the right way.

The University of Calabar has released an advertisement for the VC position, and in no sentence or listing was it stated that zoning is the requirement. In case you have not seen the advertisement, here is the excerpt…

The candidate for the office of the Vice Chancellor:

(i) Must hold the rank of Professor for at least ten (10) years by 1st December 2025.

(ii) Have a distinguished academic record with significant contributions to research and scholarship.

(iii) Hold a PhD in any academic field.

(iv) Be an acclaimed scholar who is a professor of high repute and must have published in academic journals that are both of National and International repute.

(v) Have had a wide range of academic and administrative experience.

(vi) Exhibit strong leadership skills with the ability to drive academic and administrative excellence.

Below is the full-page advertisement as published by the institution.

Isn’t the “Back-to-South” for the VC position being too petty? Currently, the South heads almost all the institutions in the state – from North to South. So, why the sentiment for the UNICAL VC’ship?

Those calling for it for selfish interest are very wicked. Yes, very wicked. Meanwhile, this is a position that anyone, anywhere in the country, can contest – since it’s a Federal Government institution. Why are Cross Riverians fighting themselves, using tribal slurs on each other? No wonder good things are being taken away from the state.

I don’t care who emerges as the VC; all I want is someone who can improve the school – that person can come from anywhere, even outside the state.

Talking about fairness, the South has mounted that institution four good times, the Central three and the North one; who is not being fair? Records don’t lie, you can below:

Southern Senatorial District = 4

• Prof. Charles E. Effiong (1988–1992)
• Prof. Solomon Unoh
• Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu
• Prof. Bassey Okon Asuquo

Central Senatorial District = 3

• Prof. Kevin M. Ogon Etta
• Prof. James Epoke
• Prof. Florence Banku Obi

Northern Senatorial District = 1

• Prof. Zana Akpagu

Come to think of it, isn’t the North supposed to be atop this? There are currently about 14 institutions (Federal and State) in the state and seven of them are being headed by the South while the Central and North have five and two respectively

Who’s not being fair? Look at the facts below by yourself:

Heads of Institutions in Cross River State According to Senatorial Districts:

1. University of Calabar (UNICAL) VC (Outgoing) – Central
2. University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) CMD – South
3. University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) Ag. VC – South
4. University of Education and Entrepreneurship (Former College of Education) Akamkpa Ag. VC – South
5. Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital CMD – Central
6. Federal College of Education (FCE) Obudu Provost – North
7. Federal Polytechnic Ugep Rector – Central
8. College of Health Technology (COTECH) Ag. Provost – South
9. UCTH College of Nursing Sciences Provost – South
10. UCTH School of Health Information Management Provost – South
11. College of Nursing Sciences Calabar Provost – Central
12. College of Nursing Sciences Ogoja Provost – Central
13. College of Nursing Sciences Itigidi Provost – South
14. College of Nursing Sciences Obudu Provost – North

Now, tell me why you are shouting “Back-to-South” with the Governor coming from the South?

My name is Frank Ulom, and I write from Cross River State.

CAVEAT: Views expressed in this article are those of the author, Frank Ulom, and do not in any way represent those of Converseer, and or its staff.