By Kingsley Agim and Jessica Ubi
Cross River State has commenced a bold reform of its health education sector with the initiation of processes to affiliate state-owned nursing colleges with the University of Calabar (UNICAL) for the award of university degrees, in line with Governor Bassey Otu’s broader health system transformation agenda.
The affiliation will begin with the College of Nursing Calabar, for now.
The development was unveiled on Thursday, January 15, during a meeting of the Basic Nursing Degree Certificate Affiliation Committee, chaired by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, at the Ministry of Health Headquarters, Calabar. The meeting brought together top government officials, health educators and professional bodies to chart a new course for manpower development in the state’s health sector.
Declaring the session open, Dr. Ayuk said the state is moving decisively towards institutional excellence, noting that the planned affiliation of state-owned Colleges of Nursing with UNICAL would elevate nursing education in Cross River State to globally competitive standards.
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According to him, the basic infrastructure required for the affiliation is already in place, adding that identified gaps would be addressed promptly to ensure a smooth and successful transition.
He charged heads of health training institutions to align with the administration’s vision of a world-class health system, stressing that public investment in education must translate into measurable outcomes.
“We are building a legacy that will outlive us. Our institutions must reflect the highest standards of professionalism, competence and service delivery,” he said.
Speaking on the strategic direction of the reforms, Dr. Etim Effiom Ayi highlighted the importance of strong institutional partnerships for sustainability. He commended Prof. (Mrs.) Akon M. Joshua for conceptualising the collegiate system that now serves as the foundation for the transition to university-awarded nursing degrees.
He described the move as a major advancement for nursing education in the state, noting that strict alignment with the standards of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) remains central to the affiliation process.
In her presentation, Prof. Joshua said the transition from college-based certification to degree programmes goes beyond nomenclature, stressing that the initiative is aimed at elevating the professional standing, technical depth and global competitiveness of nursing graduates.
“This transition is about quality, prestige and relevance. We must ensure our graduates can compete globally while remaining responsive to local healthcare needs,” she said.
Reaffirming the political backing for the reforms, Barrister Esu Ekanem, Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff, assured stakeholders of Governor Otu’s unwavering commitment to the initiative.
“This administration is determined to ensure that these reforms move beyond policy documents to practical outcomes that impact the lives of citizens,” he stated.
Providing further clarity on the affiliation process, Mrs. Uduak Efem, Special Adviser on Nursing Education, confirmed that indigenous nursing colleges in the state are set to affiliate with UNICAL, noting that the process has received the Governor’s full approval.
“The affiliation process is on track. The University of Calabar is keen on the partnership and fully supportive,” she explained.
Also speaking, the Registrar of the College of Nursing and Sciences, Calabar (CONSCAL), Mrs. Etim Bassey Okokon, stressed the need to maintain strict academic and professional standards throughout the transition.
This view was echoed by the State Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Mrs. Josephine Bassey, who described nurses as the backbone of the healthcare system and called for increased recruitment to address manpower gaps.
Contributing, the Director of Nursing, Mrs. Roseline Obojor, advocated improved welfare for tutors and better-equipped clinical training environments to strengthen teaching and learning outcomes.
The meeting concluded with a collective pledge from the Ministry’s leadership, including the Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, and the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Jonah Offor, to ensure efficiency and effective service delivery across health institutions in Cross River State.
