The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has announced Prof. Florence Banku-Obi as the first female vice-chancellor of the university in its 45-year history.
Announcing the result on Friday in Calabar, the pro-chancellor and chairman of UNICAL governing council Nkechi Nwaogu said the process of the selection was transparent.
Thirteen candidates had indicated interest in the job.
“At the end of the day, we had a brand new first female VC of the university in the last 45 years. The interview was transparent and some of the contestants are part of our council,” Nwaogu said.
“What I expect of her is to look at what the outgoing VC has done because governance is a continuing process. She should invite all those who contested with her and build a team.”
The new VC said she was elated, adding that it was a fair contest.
“I am very happy today, I just received my appointment letter from the 12th Council as the 11th VC elect effective from Dec. 1, 2020,” she said.
“It was a free and fair contest and I am happy about it. The University of Calabar should expect an inclusive administration from me.”
Prof. Banku-Obi will be taking over from Prof. Zana Akpagu whose tenure ends on November 30.
The new VC hails from Boki Local Government Area in Cross River and has been a lecturer in the Department of Education.
She is the only one who has served twice consecutively as dean of the faculty of education in the history of the university.
Banku-Obi has also served as the deputy vice-chancellor (academics). She has over 60 publications to her credit in both local and international journals.
She has also supervised over 30 postgraduate diploma projects, 12 master’s degree theses and eight PhD dissertations and has so far assessed 13 persons for professorial positions.
