University of Uyo Inaugurates Anti-Corruption Unit as ICPC Urges Integrity and Accountability

The University of Uyo has formally inaugurated its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), a new body meant to help the institution prevent corrupt practices before they happen. Officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) used the occasion to urge the members to put integrity, transparency and ethical conduct at the centre of how the university is run.

The inauguration took place on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the 1,000-Seater TETFund Building on the university campus. Members of the university management and other senior officials were in attendance.

Prevention first, says ICPC

Mr. Baba Alaro Shuaib, Chairman of the ICPC Akwa Ibom and Cross River State Command, opened the programme by telling the new members to stay committed to integrity, accountability and transparency. He made the point that it is better to stop corruption before it takes root than to react after the damage is done.

He added that no single person or office can do this alone. In his view, the effort needs management, staff and the wider university community to pull in the same direction. He asked the ACTU to find the parts of the institution most open to abuse and to encourage systems that leave little room for unethical behaviour, while making sure rules and procedures are followed.

Vice-Chancellor promises cooperation

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christopher Nyong Ekong, said the university is ready to work closely with the ICPC. He described the new unit as an important step toward building a stronger culture of integrity on campus.

Professor Ekong stressed that keeping an institution accountable is not the job of one individual or department. He appealed to the university community to work together to protect the school's reputation and to strengthen public confidence in how it is managed. He also congratulated the new members and called for continued collaboration with the anti-corruption agency.

What the ACTU is actually meant to do

The main technical presentation came from Mr. Nsuhoridem E. Akpan of the ICPC, who explained the Standing Orders that guide ACTUs in government ministries, departments and agencies.

According to him, an ACTU is more than an investigative body. Its work includes:

1. Preventing corruption and raising public awareness about it
2. Monitoring whether policies and procedures are followed
3. Carrying out corruption-risk assessments
4. Promoting integrity within the institution
5. Reporting suspected corrupt practices to the appropriate authorities

Mr. Akpan said each unit is expected to keep a direct working relationship with the ICPC while staying independent enough to do its job properly.

For a university setting, he pointed to several areas that deserve close attention: procurement, financial management, examination malpractice, admission processes, recruitment, research misconduct, plagiarism and the misuse of institutional resources. Many of these touch students directly, which makes the unit's work relevant well beyond the administrative offices.

He also told members to protect the identities of whistleblowers and informants, since people are far more likely to speak up when they know their names will be kept confidential.

Funding, reporting and sensitisation

Mr. Akpan said the unit will be expected to carry out corruption-risk assessments and submit periodic reports on its activities. He urged the university management to give it the funding, logistics, training and general support it needs to function well.

He also called for sensitisation programmes for both staff and students. His argument was that corruption prevention works better when people understand their responsibilities and know what happens if they break the rules.

Members take the oath

The new members took their oath of office, administered by Dr. Kioba Anabraba. The oath committed them to carrying out their duties with integrity, impartiality, confidentiality and dedication to the interests of the university.

Who is on the committee

The university management constituted the ACTU through a letter from the Office of the Registrar dated July 3, 2026. The members are:

1. Professor Fidelis Onwioduokit, Chairman (Department of Science Education)
2. Professor Lucky I. Igbinosun, Member (Department of Mathematics)
3. Dr. Eyakndue E. Ntekim, Member (Department of Private Law)
4. Dr. Sunday Peter Umana, Member (Department of Theatre Arts)
5. Dr. Queensley C. Chukudum, Member (Department of Insurance and Risk Management)
6. Dr. Umoh Akpan Kofi, Member (Department of Political Science and Public Administration)
7. Mr. Idongesit Nsubong, Member (Directorate of Information and Public Relations)
8. Mrs. Sifon Otuekong Edet, Member (Bursary Department)
9. Mr. Nyakno A. Ekpo, Member (Directorate of Procurement)
10. Mrs. Udeme E. Etukudo, Member (School of Basic Studies)
11. Mrs. Rosemary Ededei Ansa, Member (Directorate of Internal Audit)
12. Mr. Nya Effiong Ndem, Secretary (Vice-Chancellor's Office)

The letter stated that the committee will operate in line with government requirements and the Standing Orders for ACTUs, and that it will report periodically to the Vice-Chancellor.

What comes next

The committee draws from academics, administration, finance, procurement, internal audit, public relations and the Vice-Chancellor's Office, which gives it a fairly broad view of how the university works. Whether it makes a real difference will depend on a few things: how willing the university community is to support it, whether it gets adequate resources, and whether its recommendations are actually acted on.

The programme closed with both the University of Uyo and the ICPC renewing their commitment to work together, with the shared aim of a campus where public resources are protected, procedures are respected and accountability is everyone's responsibility.