Professor Offiong Efanga Offiong has been elected as the 12th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), bringing to the role decades of distinguished academic, administrative, and public-service experience. A respected scholar and passionate education advocate, he has built a career characterised by excellence, discipline, and transformative leadership.
Born on November 6, 1963 in Calabar, Professor Offiong began his academic journey at the University of Calabar, earning a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc. Hons) degree in Chemistry before proceeding to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Coordination/Inorganic Chemistry from the same institution. His doctoral work was supported by the prestigious DAAD Scholarship, enabling part of his research to be conducted at the renowned Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany. He also holds a Certificate in Equipment Maintenance from Bristol Polytechnic in the United Kingdom.
Professor Offiong joined the University of Calabar in 1985 as a Graduate Assistant and rose steadily through the ranks, attaining full professorship in 2002. Over his career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to academic mentorship, supervising seven Master’s and sixteen Ph.D. candidates. Notably, one of his doctoral supervisees received the National Universities Commission (NUC) Award for Best Thesis in the Physical Sciences across Nigerian universities. a testament to his exceptional mentorship and research guidance. Many of his former students now serve as Professors and Associate Professors within and beyond Nigeria’s shores.
A prolific researcher, Professor Offiong has published more than 90 scientific papers in reputable international journals. His work has received significant global citations and recognition, positioning him among respected voices in inorganic chemistry research. He has also served as an external examiner to several Nigerian universities, including the University of Uyo, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and theUniversity of Abuja, contributing to academic quality assurance and standards.
Professor Offiong has held several key leadership positions within UNICAL. His administrative roles include Sub-Dean and Dean of the Faculty of Science, Dean of Students’ Affairs, and membership of the University Governing Council between 2000 and 2004. He is also a notable figure in the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), where he served as Chairman, Zonal Coordinator, and later National Vice President, demonstrating a strong commitment to academic welfare, institutional reform, and educational justice.
His leadership extends into public service. Between 2007 and 2015, he served as Commissioner for Education in Cross River State, where he led impactful reforms. Under his stewardship, the state achieved significant improvements in WAEC performance, rising from 22nd to 6th and 7th positions in 2012 and 2013 respectively. He also championed the establishment of the Institute of Technology and Management (ITM), Ugep, and facilitated the reopening and subsequent upgrade of the College of Education, Akamkpa. He chaired the Forum of State Commissioners for Education (2009–2015) and contributed to national policy discourse as a member of the Presidential Task Team on Education.
Internationally recognised, Professor Offiong has participated in multiple global academic programmes, served on NUC accreditation panels, and in 2021 was appointed to the Presidential Visitation Panel to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Committed to community development, he has held leadership roles including President of the Boys Brigade Nigeria (Cross River State Council). A Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, he currently chairs the Education Committees of both the Obong of Calabar Executive Forum and the Presbyterian Schools in Nigeria.
Professor Offiong is married to Professor (Mrs.) Ame I. Offiong, a Professor of Finance at the University of Calabar. They are blessed with three children — Efanga Offiong, Asa Offiong, and Eme Offiong.
Offiong will take over from Prof. Florence Banku Obi who emergd as the first Vice Chancellor of the institution in 2020.
