Obong University, Obong Ntak, Akwa Ibom State, and Salem University, Lokoja, are celebrating the receipt of permanent licences to operate as private universities by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Obong University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Udoudo Ekanemesang, told journalists last week that the letter of attestation signed by the Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof Julius Okojie, noted that the university had satisfied the minimum standards on the establishment of institutions in accordance with Act, Cap E3 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.
The Vice Chancellor said the Board of Trustees, Council, the Senate as well as members of the University community thank God for this special grace as well as the NUC Boss for his dogged drive in ensuring that universities in the country operate within the framework of laid down requirements.
He said Obong University, which has graduated four sets of students since inception in 2007, has remained affordable – charging only N200,000 per session for sciences, and N180,000 for management and social sciences courses per session.
He said the University accommodates 80 percent of female and 60 percent of male students on campus.
The Vice Chancellor however appealed to the Akwa Ibom State government to support the university stating that the school was not established with a commercial mind- set, but is poised to train adequate manpower for the State and Nation.
Responding, the Akwa Ibom State NUJ Chairman, Elder Patrick Albert noted that the license given to Obong University is a plus for the State as it will create opportunities for the people to access university education with less stress.
At Salem University, the issuance of the license demonstrated that the institution had been doing the right thing.
A statement signed by the Public Relation Officer of the University, Mr. Ocholi Ikani, noted that the university boasts of adequate staff/student ratio and has provided standard learning facilities for all its programmes.
The statement also noted that the license would boost quality of education service delivery in the university.
The statement reads: “This, no doubt, has raised the bar of academic excellence and would enable Salem University to consolidate on its achievements in order to support the country’s growth and development through churning out top quality graduates, world class research and classical innovation.
“It is the deliberate and visionary effort of the university to tailor and design courses to meet with industry and professional standards that has led to Salem University graduates being offered gainful employment by reputable companies within and outside the country. A testimony to this is the offer of employment to Noble Elekwa, a graduate of computer science from Salem University by the British Telecommunication company at United Kingdom.”
In its few years of existence, Salem University has been recognised as the fastest growing university in North Central Nigeria and the Best Web Technology Management Institution in Kogi state among other numerous awards and recognition.
Following last year’s accreditation by the NUC team, all academic programmes were granted full accreditation.
