By Kingsley Agim
The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has recorded a significant academic milestone following the release of the latest accreditation results by the National Universities Commission (NUC), with the institution securing full accreditation for nearly all programmes presented.
Announcing the results during an emergency Senate meeting at the Calabar campus on Thursday, April 23, 2026, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Francisca Bassey, disclosed that all programmes assessed in the November/December 2025 accreditation exercise received full accreditation, except one which was granted Interim Accreditation.
“This is a proud moment for our university. It reflects the hard work, resilience, and commitment of our academic and administrative staff to reposition UNICROSS for excellence,” she said.
Programmes that earned full accreditation include Human Kinetics and Health Education, Urban and Regional Planning, Economics, Peace and Conflict Studies, Sociology, Banking and Finance, Entrepreneurship Studies, Marketing, Forestry and Wildlife, Broadcasting, Journalism and Media Studies, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Animal and Environmental Biology, Industrial Chemistry, and Plant Science Biology.
The Department of Childhood Education, she noted, received Interim Accreditation.
Providing insight into the achievement, the Vice Chancellor revealed that some of the programmes had previously struggled to meet accreditation standards.
“Urban and Regional Planning and Forestry and Wildlife had faced accreditation setbacks in the past. Today, they have not only met the requirements but have emerged stronger. This speaks to our determination as an institution,” she stated.
She further emphasised that many of the accredited programmes are relatively new.
“For relatively young programmes to achieve full accreditation at this level shows that we are building a solid academic foundation for the future,” she added.
Highlighting exceptional performances, Professor Bassey disclosed that the Department of Plant Science Biology recorded the highest score with 93.7 per cent, followed by Animal and Environmental Biology with 92.9 per cent, while Entrepreneurship Studies ranked third with 91.2 per cent.
Commending the departments, she said, “I am particularly proud of the outstanding performances recorded. It is a testament to quality leadership and teamwork at the departmental level.”
She singled out Dr Samuel Osim, Head of Plant Science Biology, for exemplary leadership.
“In recognition of this exceptional performance, we will fully upgrade the laboratory facilities of the department, furnish the Head of Department’s office to the highest standard, and provide a laptop for his personal use,” she announced.
Describing the outcome as a major institutional feat, Professor Bassey reaffirmed the university’s commitment to sustaining academic excellence.
“We are not resting on our laurels. This achievement will only spur us to aim higher, strengthen our systems, and continue delivering quality education to our students,” she said.
