Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has appointed Professor Francisca Bassey as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS). Her historic appointment marks the first time a woman will steer the university since its transition into a full-fledged institution.
A statement released by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Owan Enoh, confirmed the appointment takes immediate effect following what was described as “a rigorous, merit-based and transparent selection process” overseen by the university’s Governing Council. Government sources say the process attracted “some of the brightest academic minds within and outside the state.”
Governor Otu hailed the appointment as a bold step towards strengthening academic leadership and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to meritocracy, inclusivity, and the empowerment of capable Cross Riverians. “Her appointment reflects the governor’s belief that leadership in higher education must be driven by competence, integrity and vision,” the statement read.
Congratulating Professor Bassey, the governor charged her to embrace transformative leadership that would advance UNICROSS as a dynamic centre of academic excellence and innovation. “You are stepping into a role that demands courage, creativity, and character,” Otu said in his message to the new vice chancellor. “The future of our university system must be anchored on global standards, and I have every confidence that you will lead with distinction.”
An accomplished scholar and administrator, Prof. Bassey brings over three decades of experience in teaching, research, and academic leadership. A graduate of the University of Calabar, she has served in key roles including Head of Department, Dean, and Deputy Vice Chancellor, with extensive academic publications and policy contributions in the social sciences.
Her emergence is already drawing praise from stakeholders who see it as a fresh chapter for institutional renewal and academic progress at UNICROSS. The state government also reiterated its support for her leadership, stressing that education remains a central pillar of Governor Otu’s “People First” governance agenda.
Prof. Bassey has pledged to foster collaboration with staff, students, alumni, and government in repositioning the university as a driver of human capital development within Cross River State and beyond.
