CHRAN urges Gov. Eno to sign Bill upgrading A’Ibom College of Education to University

By Theresa Donatus

A human rights and civil society organisation in Nigeria, the Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), has called on Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to sign into law the bill upgrading the Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit, to a full-fledged University of Education.

The appeal was made during a press briefing held on Wednesday, May 7, at CHRAN’s headquarters in Uyo, where the organisation’s Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, flanked by members of the group, addressed journalists.

Commending the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for its legislative strides, CHRAN praised Speaker Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong and the House Committee on Education for spearheading the move to transform the college into the proposed Akwa Ibom State University of Education, Afaha Nsit.

READ ALSO: 70th Anniversary: HSN visits former Head of State, Gen.Yakubu Gowon (rtd)

CHRAN highlighted its long-standing advocacy for the institution’s upgrade, noting that it had conducted several visits to assess the college’s facilities and consult with its management. The group cited declining enrolment figures, from over 5,000 students in the 1990s to just 69 in the 2023/2024 academic year, as a major concern.

“The NCE programme has become unattractive in today’s labour market, Many parents now prefer to send their children to universities offering four-year degree programmes, rather than settling for the three-year NCE curriculum.” he said

The group also observed that 11 academic programmes at the college are already running in affiliation with the University of Uyo, which has placed a cap on admissions.

CHRAN warned that low internally generated revenue has hampered both the administration and academic development of the college.

Although the College of Education is legally empowered to award degrees, it can only do so under the umbrella of the University of Uyo, CHRAN noted.

The organisation argued that this limited autonomy undermines the institution’s growth potential.

Citing Section 4(2)(c) of the College’s establishing law, CHRAN pointed out that the University of Uyo still maintains significant oversight over the college’s governance structure.

According to CHRAN, the passage of the bill into law would allow Akwa Ibom to produce highly-trained educators and strengthen the educational pillar of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda.

The bill titled “A Bill For A Law To Provide For The Establishment Of The Akwa Ibom State University Of Education, Afaha Nsit And To Make Provisions For Its Administration And For Other Purposes Connected Thereto” was passed by the House on March 13, 2025, but is still awaiting the governor’s assent.

CHRAN urged all stakeholders to rally behind the initiative and expressed confidence that the bill, once signed into law, would mark a major milestone in the state’s education sector.