By Tukura Matthew
Akwa Ibom State is one of the 36 states in the country, created by the former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), 38 years ago, precisely on September 23rd, 1987.
The state, which prides itself as “Land of Promise” has been lucky to have visionary leaders who have governed the state. These leaders, Elder statesman Obong Victor Attah, Senator Godswill Akpabio (now Senate President), Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel and, currently, Pastor Umo BasseyEno, have done their best in building on the legacies of their predecessors. No wonder Obong Victor Attah was the first governor in Nigeria who won the “Africa Today’s Face of Good Governance Award in 2002” because of his efforts in laying solid foundation for sustainable development of the state.
Today, Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State and its local government areas are being turned into a model city because its leaders have kept their promises with the people in delivering developmental programs that cut across diverse strata in the state.
The state gives premium to basic, secondary and tertiary education. This is the secret why it has recorded appreciable level of development. The founding fathers of the state believed that education is the priceless gift to bequeath to the younger generation so as to finish strong on the journey to the promise land.
Therefore, when College of Education, Afaha Nsit, suffered major setbacks it became a source of concern to the entire state especially those in positions of authority. The then Governor, Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel was challenged to look for an “administrative mechanic” to fix the College and he found Professor Daniel G. Udo worthy and appointed him the new Provost of the College in 2019 on acting capacity and, having been satisfied in his one year acting, the Governor confirmed him as substantive Provost in 2020. Professor Udo’s mission was to correct, stabilize and to leave the college better than he met it, a task by the grace of God he accomplished.
Professor Udo, who had a single tenure of five years as Provost, during the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th combined convocation ceremony on 3rd October, 2025, held at the College Sports Ground, presented the score card of his administration.
It was quite challenging when the college came under Prof. Udo’s watch as Provost because of COVID 19 lockdown. There was drastic shortfall in internally generated revenue (IGR). Casual and part time staff of the College had their salary arrears of seven months not paid. The Management, led by Professor Udo, promptly took decisive steps that brought about increase in Internally Generated Revenue of the College, settled the arrears owed the casual and part time staff, restored College portal for all payments, computation of results, preparation of transcripts and other related matters were now done through the College portal, despite the resistance from persons who were gaining from that old system.
The College of Education, Afaha Nsit is now fully digitalized with the best CBT centre in the state. The CBT has been upgraded to 250-candiate capacity with 32 CCTV cameras and ICT complex with additional 608 capacity complex completed. Such digital age of transacting business has brought positive impact in the College.
Beyond its service to the College, the centre is successfully serving the public in the following areas: JAMB Registration, Mock and Main Examination, 2021 to 2025, State Secondary Education Board (SSEB) Recruitment Examinations, 2021, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Recruitment Examination, 2022, AkwaIbom State College of Education Recruitment Examination 2023, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria(TRCN) Mock Examination with the CBT software developed by the ICT Technical Team, 2021-2025, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) Professional Examination, 2021-2025, The Nigerian Police Recruitment Examination, 2024, Ministry of Education Community Health Workers qualifying examination 2024-2025, The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, National Pre-Certification Examination, 2025.
Professor Udo’s five years tenure recorded tremendous landmark achievements in the College. More academic programmes under the National Universities Commission (NUC) and those regulated by National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) received 100% accreditation as the College offers both Nigeria Certificate in Education and Degree Programmes and amnesty programme were introduced which received wide commendation. The re-connection of the College to national grid was under Prof. Udo. Under him the College witnessed stabilized academic calendar, improved academic standard, electronic identity card for (both staff and students), and obtained authority to operate a demonstration school degree. Programs of the College are affiliated to the University of Uyo, staff and students’ welfare had its tremendous improvement under Prof. Udo’s watch. Payments of casual and part time staff were up to date at the time he left office as Provost.
Described by the immediate past Governor, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel as “a very good Provost” Professor Udo made two special appeals to Governor UmoBasseyEno.A look at the convocation statistics for graduates of the National Certificate in Education (NCE) and those for Degree programmes reveals that our highly cherished College of Education, Afaha Nsit had begun the process of transforming itself into a university. Given the ration of NCE to degree graduates, it would mean that that the survival of the institution is already dependent more on the degree than on the NCE programs: “That reality informed my stout defense of the proposal to upgrade the College to a University of Education.
“His Excellency, in the college we read you like a manual for excellence in governance. My humble achievements in the College as Provost would not have been possible without the support and collaboration of other Principal Officers of the College. Out of the five officers appointed by His Excellency in 2020, (the Provost, Registrar, Librarian, Bursar and Chief Security Officer); only the Provost was assigned an official vehicle. Your Excellency, our College is located away from Uyo where these officers live with their families. Prior to their appointments, some of them had old, rickety cars, which have long gone completely out of maintenance in the course of their daily official responsibilities. For some months now, it is the College bus that has been conveying them to and from work. As they end their tenure this October, may it please you, our dear father, to let them return home with new vehicles. Your Excellency, that will enable them to resume their divine positions as Daddies and Mummies in the family and regain respect after sacrificing their old cars for the college. Thank you in advance, Your Excellency. We are now all familiar with your kind-hearted disposition to your children and their needs”.
Professor Udo’s five year term has not accomplished all that the college needs but has set a focal point, a debt-free and clear clean slate for a profitable tertiary institution that Akwa Ibom State deserves.
As Professor Daniel Udo delivered his last official speech both for convocation and valedictory, he appreciated all who made his tenure a huge success, especially Akwa Ibom stakeholders and further declared “I wish to make it clear that I bear no one any grudge as I exit office”.
Plateau News Online 