6th October, 2010
The National Universities Commission (NUC) on Tuesday granted licence of operation to the Akwa Ibom State University of Science and Technology with a charge to set and maintain academic standards.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie, gave the charge in Abuja while presenting the letter of recognition to Gov. Godswill Akpabio.
He urged the state government to ensure proper funding, put in place effective governing council, infrastructure, adequate data and management of the institution.
Okojie stressed the need for diversity of students and officials of the university to attain rapid growth and development.
“I urge you not to restrict the students, officials and management of the university to just indigenes of the state if you intend to attain academic growth and excellence.
“I can assure you our services are available free of charge so that we can midwife this university to maturity,†he said.
Okojie commended the governor and his team for his interest in education and general development of the state.
Akpabio in his response, thanked the leadership of the NUC for its support and efforts “to realise a noble causeâ€.
The governor said that the university would be opened to all Nigerians in spite of being a state university.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the granting of licence brings to 34 the number of state owned universities out of the 102 licensed universities in the country.