By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
A civil society organisation, the Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), has blamed the Akwa Ibom State Government for the non-recognition of the Akwa Ibom State University of Education, Afaha Nsit, by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board for the 2026/2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The institution, formerly the Akwa Ibom State College of Education, was upgraded to a university by the state government in December 2025. However, it was not listed by JAMB for the upcoming UTME exercise.
Speaking at a press conference in Uyo on Wednesday, CHRAN Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, said the exclusion reflected unresolved administrative and legal issues surrounding the upgrade. He noted that the 2026 Appropriation Law still referenced the institution as a College of Education, creating uncertainty about its official status.
CHRAN also alleged that the university currently lacks key governance structures, including a Vice-Chancellor, principal officers, a Governing Council, and foundational documents such as a master plan and academic brief. The group further questioned the use of “acting Provost” and “Chief Administrator” titles, describing them as inconsistent with standard university governance.
The organisation warned that failure to address the issues could affect recognition by other regulatory bodies, including the National Universities Commission and TETFund.CHRAN urged the state government, under Umo Eno, to urgently regularise the institution’s status and called on staff unions to work constructively with authorities to protect the school’s credibility.
