In a significant boost to infrastructure at the University of Calabar, President Bola Tinubu, on Saturday, inaugurated six key projects as part of the institution’s 37th convocation and 50th-anniversary celebrations.
Represented by Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Tinubu emphasized the importance of prudent financial management to facilitate further infrastructural growth in Nigerian universities. He commended the institution’s leadership for successfully delivering the projects within a short time frame.
The projects, some of which had been abandoned for over a decade, were completed within seven months. They include the Prof. Emmanuel Ayandele Hall of Fame, Florence Obi Complex for Education, Engineering Workshops, and the Faculty of Pharmacy Administrative Block. Also inaugurated were the Pharmaceutical and Medical Chemistry Department Block and a campus Fire Station, which is fully equipped with a fire truck.
Tinubu lauded the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, and her administration for their commitment to revitalizing the university’s infrastructure. He assured the institution that Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund grants would be available in 2025, a move expected to facilitate additional projects.
READ ALSO: UNICAL honours Betta Edu, Akpabio, others
Prof. Obi detailed the challenges her administration faced in completing the abandoned projects. She revealed that the Hall of Fame Building was constructed at an estimated cost of ₦826 million, funded through the merged 2023/2024 TETFund intervention and additional faculty support.
She expressed gratitude to the federal government and funding agencies for their contributions, stating that the newly completed projects would enhance learning, research, and overall academic excellence at the university.
The inauguration ceremony was part of a week-long convocation program that began on March 17. Other highlights of the celebrations included a lecture, awards presentation, and a research fair, bringing together scholars, dignitaries, and industry professionals.
The grand finale of the convocation featured the conferment of doctorate degrees on distinguished graduating students, with notable guests in attendance to celebrate the institution’s 50-year legacy of academic excellence.
NAN
