The Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), Professor Francisca Bassey, has announced the promotion of nine academic staff members across various faculties, following appraisal exercises that were conducted by External Assessors.

This marks a significant development in the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and staff advancement.

The announcement was made on Thursday, April 23, 2026, during an emergency meeting of the University’s Senate held at the Calabar campus.

The Vice Chancellor announced that five lecturers have been elevated from the rank of Reader to Professor. They are: Professor Joseph Ukpata and Professor Nkpa Ogarekpe, both of the Department of Civil Engineering; Professor Adebisi Adesola of the Department of Accounting; Professor Sunday Ebaye of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies; and Professor Ferdinand Kamgba of the Department of Physics.

In addition, four lecturers were promoted from the rank of Senior Lecturer to Reader. They include: Dr. Patrick Ushie of the Department of Physics; Dr. Ujong Peter Ujong of Department of Medical Biochemistry; Dr. (Mrs) Victoria Iyishu of the Department of Library and Information Science; and Dr. Jerome Egbe of the Department of Civil Engineering.

The Vice Chancellor commended the newly promoted academics for their dedication, scholarly contributions, and service to the University, noting that their advancement reflects both individual merit and the institution’s ongoing pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement.

The University community has extended its congratulations to the Scholars, describing the promotions as well-deserved and indicative of UNICROSS’s steady academic growth.