State Government Assure UNICROSS of Full Recovery of Every Inch of University Land

📅 Posted on June 1, 2026

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The Cross River State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the full recovery of all encroached portions of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) land in Calabar, in a major step toward restoring the institution’s security, protecting its future, and supporting its ongoing expansion drive.
The assurance was given by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Asset Management and Recovery, Barr. Gilbert Agbor, during an inspection tour of the affected areas on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
The inspection team also included operatives from the Office of the State Security Adviser.

Speaking during the tour, Barr. Agbor disclosed that the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, had directed his office to ensure the complete recovery of all illegally occupied university land following a distress call from the institution’s management.

He disclosed that the Governor was compelled to urgently intervene following reports from the university management detailing violent attacks on university security personnel, as well as the escalating encroachment that poses a serious threat to the institution’s safety and long-term development.

Barr. Agbor described the situation as “massive and embarrassing,” lamenting the level of impunity displayed by illegal developers who had brazenly invaded property legally acquired for educational purposes.
He revealed that the Governor was deeply disturbed by reports that university officials attempting to commence construction of a new building were forcefully chased away by encroachers, while security personnel on duty at the site were also attacked.

He assured the University Management that the State Government would adopt a comprehensive and decisive approach toward reclaiming every encroached portion of the land and restoring the institution’s territorial integrity.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of UNICROSS, Prof. Francisca Bassey, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Thomas Ojikpong, expressed profound appreciation to Governor Otu for his swift and compassionate response to the university’s appeal.

Prof. Ojikpong noted that the Vice Chancellor has remained relentless in her efforts to reposition UNICROSS for global relevance despite the enormous challenges posed by land encroachment and insecurity around the institution.

He explained that under the visionary leadership of Prof. Francisca Bassey, the university has secured strategic academic partnerships with foreign universities and initiated plans for major infrastructural expansion aimed at improving teaching, research, innovation, and students’ welfare.

However, he lamented that the university’s development efforts have been severely constrained by the illegal occupation of approximately 60 percent of its land by private developers.
According to him, the growing encroachment has not only denied the institution the space needed for critical infrastructure projects, but has also exposed the university community to serious security threats.

He disclosed that during the Christmas holidays, vandals invaded the university and damaged parts of the New Auditorium, as well as facilities in the Faculties of Engineering, Education, Physical Sciences, the Staff School and other places within the campus, causing losses estimated at over ?300 million.
Prof. Ojikpong described the invasion as a major setback to the institution’s development goals.

He further noted that incidents of robbery and rape sometimes recorded within the university environment could be linked to the unwholesome activities of encroachers occupying the institution’s land.

He stressed that the university community remains hopeful that the intervention of Governor Otu and the decisive actions being championed by the Vice Chancellor will finally bring lasting relief and enable the institution to pursue its expansion agenda without further obstruction.

Also speaking during the inspection, the former Acting Registrar and current Director of Administration and Council Affairs, Mr. Idim Ekanem, described the encroachment as extensive and deeply troubling, estimating that nearly 60 percent of the university’s land had been affected.
Mr. Ekanem explained that according to Government Gazette, the land was legitimately acquired by the State Government in 1972 and compensation was paid in full to the original owners.
He added that all ownership documents remain intact despite attempts by intruders to remove boundary beacons and alter the institution’s territorial markers.

He commended the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Bassey, for her courage, persistence, and unwavering commitment toward reclaiming the university’s land while simultaneously driving several developmental projects across the institution.
The former Acting Registrar expressed confidence that with the support of the State Government and the determination of the current university leadership, UNICROSS would overcome the challenge and continue its journey toward becoming a stronger, safer, and more globally competitive institution.