Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has appointed Professor Francisca Bassey as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS).
This historic appointment makes Professor Bassey the first woman to hold the position since the institution’s evolution into a full-fledged university.
The announcement of her appointment was conveyed in an official letter dated July 17, 2025, referenced as “SSG/GSA/S/78/VoLix1506.”
The letter, which confirmed that her appointment takes immediate effect, was signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Anthony Owan-Enoh.
According to the state government, Professor Bassey’s emergence followed a highly competitive, merit-driven, and transparent selection process.
This process engaged distinguished academic professionals from within Cross River State as well as from other parts of the country. The rigorous assessment aimed to ensure that the most qualified candidate would assume the university’s top leadership role.
Professor Bassey is an alumna of the University of Calabar and a distinguished academic with an impressive career spanning over three decades. She is widely recognised as a scholar, seasoned researcher, and accomplished administrator in the field of social sciences.
Throughout her academic journey, she has held several strategic positions within the university system, including Head of Department, Dean of Faculty, and Deputy Vice Chancellor.
Her scholarly contributions include numerous peer-reviewed publications, and she has participated in multiple policy engagements, further solidifying her reputation in academia.
In assuming this new role, Professor Bassey has articulated a clear vision for the university. She is committed to advancing UNICROSS’s standing by fostering academic excellence, deepening research and innovation, and strengthening the university’s role in driving human capital development within Cross River State and across Nigeria.
Governor Otu, while congratulating the new Vice Chancellor, expressed confidence in her capacity to provide visionary, bold, and transformative leadership.
He tasked her with the responsibility of consolidating past achievements and repositioning UNICROSS as a centre of academic distinction that meets global standards.
The state government has pledged its full support to Professor Bassey, reiterating the administration’s prioritisation of education as a central pillar of the “People First” governance philosophy.
Governor Otu affirmed that the success of UNICROSS under her stewardship would be critical to the broader developmental aspirations of the state.