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A human rights organisation in Akwa Ibom State, the Centre for Human Rights Accountability Network, CHRAN, has given insight into the non-recognition of the Akwa Ibom State University of Education, Afaha Nsit, by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB.
The Akwa Ibom State University of Education, formerly the Akwa Ibom State College of Education, was upgraded by the state government in December 2025 to operate as a full-fledged university.
However, JAMB has failed to recognise the institution for the 2026/2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) exercise.
Addressing a press conference in Uyo on Wednesday, the Director of CHRAN, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, while assessing the state of tertiary education in Akwa Ibom under the administration of Pastor Umo Eno, observed that the 2026 Appropriation Law of the state captured the College of Education instead of the University of Education, thereby heightening uncertainty about the actual status of the institution.
The group further observed that the institution has no Vice-Chancellor and other principal officers to reflect its upgraded status, adding that it has no Governing Council, no master plan, no academic brief, and that the law establishing it is still shrouded in secrecy.
CHRAN also faulted the running of the institution with “acting Provost” and “Chief Administrator” positions, stating that such roles are alien to the university structure, as universities are run by Vice-Chancellors.
It warned that if the anomalies are not urgently corrected, they could further undermine the recognition of the institution by JAMB, the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), and other federal regulatory agencies.
The rights group also cautioned union leaders within the institution, particularly the leadership of the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit, against engaging in actions capable of further eroding the institution and reducing it to a laughing stock, urging them to work in harmony with the administration of Governor Umo Eno.
CHRAN raises alarm over JAMB’s failure to recognize Akwa Ibom University of Education
