The University of Calabar (UniCal) has developed a 25-year strategic plan aimed at strengthening its workforce and academic curriculum.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Florence Obi disclosed this on Tuesday in Calabar during an interactive session with journalists, as part of activities marking the university’s 50th anniversary and its 37th convocation ceremony.
Obi acknowledged that financial constraints remain a major challenge for public universities in Nigeria. She explained that the institution had been forced to increase student fees to cope with rising operational costs.
“The Federal Government covers personnel costs, but it does not provide funds for running the university. For instance, UniCal receives only N13 million in monthly subvention, which, before the introduction of solar power, was insufficient to cover our electricity bills alone,” she said.
To address funding challenges, the university has expanded its student base through the Open and Distance Learning Programme (ODLP), allowing more students to enrol without straining existing facilities.
“The University of Lagos, for example, has over 30,000 students on campus but more than 100,000 students off campus through ODLP. This model enables institutions to generate revenue without overburdening infrastructure,” she noted.
Obi emphasised that with 50,000 ODLP students, UniCal would have sufficient funds to maintain and improve its facilities. She urged the media to support the university in promoting the programme, assuring prospective students that ODLP graduates enjoy the same benefits as their on-campus counterparts, including eligibility for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Additionally, the university has introduced a “Top-Up” programme for individuals who previously graduated with a pass or third-class degree, as well as those with Higher National Diplomas (HNDs).
“The programme, approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC), allows students to complete a one-year course and obtain a bachelor’s degree. This year, we have 63 graduates from the programme,” Obi revealed.
She further stated that the institution had automated its examination and result portal, enabling students to access their results from anywhere in the world within a month.
“These are some of the reforms I have put in place to enhance academic and administrative efficiency,” Obi added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obi, the 11th Vice-Chancellor of UniCal and the first female to hold the position, was appointed on 10th September 2020, and her tenure is set to conclude in September 2025.
