Since it’s inception in 1991, the University of Uyo has had 5 vice Chancellors: 4 male and 1 female. Prof Enefiok Essien is the 5th and Incumbent Vice Chancellor of the school. After a year and 6 months in the office, is he the best vice chancellor the school has had yet?

The Vice-Chancellor(VC) of University of Uyo is a Professor of Law with specialization in Commercial Law, Land Law, Law of the Sea, International Humanitarian Law and Secured Credit Transactions Law. He commenced his career as an Assistant Lecturer in Faculty of Law, University of Cross River State(1986 -1988). He served as  Lecturer II (1988-1990); Lecturer I (1990-1992); and in Faculty of Law, University of Uyo as Senior Lecturer(1992-1995); AG Head of Department of Private Law (1990/1991-1994/95); Vice Dean Faculty of Law (1993/94-1994/95), Associate Professor of Law (1998-2001), Professor of Law from (2001), Dean of Law Faculty (2000-2009, 2012-2015) and Dean of Deans (Chairman, Committee of Deans) (2012-2015) until his appointment as the VC, University of Uyo with effect from December 1, 2015.

The VC of University of Uyo as an erudite scholar who has published and edited many books and written many articles. Due of his distinguished record, he has served at various capacities at both state and national levels in government. His Vision for the University is to accelerate development by building a world-class university comparable to any other in teaching, research and service to humanity.

Since he assumed office, The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State‎, Prof Enefiok Essien, has always ‎expressed his desire to  improve the ranking of the university nationally and globally. We saw these words of his coming to play as the school was recently ranked 26th best university in Nigeria by uniRank – an international organization that grades universities worldwide in its 2017 rankings. The university last month was awarded by NIRA (Nigeria Internet Registration Association) for developments on it’s website and portals being the best in the country.

The institution has expanded on its labour and community relations by resolving the incessant labour unrest as well as paying homage to stakeholders who were vital to the development of the university since he took over as the Vice-Chancellor. There has been a better SUG (Student Unions Government) – Management Relationship since he assumed office as VC of the school and thus better student – management relationship. This can be seen in the way request by the SUG are being handled, presence of Management Staff in activities organized by students, consideration to pleas of students and other good deeds like portal closure and examination date extensions.

The VC when he took over had promised better infrastructures in the school. Promising to complete projects which his predecessors regime – Prof. (Mrs) Comfort Ekpo had started like three huge lecture theaters and an ICT complex at the schools permanent site at Nwaniba Road. He also has given news of proposed projects like a 500-bed students hostel that had been in plan many years ago, a central school laboratory and new classroom blocks (work on most of these projects have already begun). The VC also promised that the school should start generating revenue on its own by establishing a filling station and block factory in the school. Steps towards revenue generation can be seen in the expansion of the school’s water factory.