<p data-path-to-node="1">In a major boost to its academic standing, the <strong data-path-to-node="1" data-index-in-node="47">University of Cross River State (UNICROSS)</strong> has announced the promotion of nine distinguished academic staff members. The Vice Chancellor, <strong data-path-to-node="1" data-index-in-node="185">Professor Francisca Bassey</strong>, shared the news during an emergency Senate meeting held at the Calabar campus on Thursday, April 23, 2026.</p>
<p data-path-to-node="2">These promotions come on the heels of rigorous appraisal exercises conducted by External Assessors, affirming the university's commitment to rewarding scholarly merit and dedication.</p>
<h3 data-path-to-node="4">Meet the New Professors</h3>
<p data-path-to-node="5">Five academics reached the pinnacle of their careers, moving from the rank of <strong data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="78">Reader</strong> to <strong data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="88">Professor</strong>. Their elevation spans critical fields in engineering, management, and the sciences.</p>
<table data-path-to-node="6">
<thead>
<tr>
<td><strong>Name</strong></td>
<td><strong>Department</strong></td>
<td><strong>New Rank</strong></td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><span data-path-to-node="6,1,0,0"><strong data-path-to-node="6,1,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Joseph Ukpata</strong></span></td>
<td><span data-path-to-node="6,1,1,0">Civil Engineering</span></td>
<td><span data-path-to-node="6,1,2,0">Professor</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span data-path-to-node="6,2,0,0"><strong data-path-to-node="6,2,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Nkpa Ogarekpe</strong></span></td>
<td><span data-path-to-node="6,2,1,0">Civil Engineering</span></td>
<td><span data-path-to-node="6,2,2,0">Professor</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span data-path-to-node="6,3,0,0"><strong data-path-to-node="6,3,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Adebisi Adesola</strong></span></td>
<td><span data-path-to-node="6,3,1,0">Accounting</span></td>
<td><span data-path-to-node="6,3,2,0">Professor</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span data-path-to-node="6,4,0,0"><strong data-path-to-node="6,4,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Sunday Ebaye</strong></span></td>
<td><span data-path-to-node="6,4,1,0">Peace and Conflict Studies</span></td>
<td><span data-path-to-node="6,4,2,0">Professor</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span data-path-to-node="6,5,0,0"><strong data-path-to-node="6,5,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Ferdinand Kamgba</strong></span></td>
<td><span data-path-to-node="6,5,1,0">Physics</span></td>
<td><span data-path-to-node="6,5,2,0">Professor</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Recent News</h3>
<ul>
<li class="card-title">
<h5><a href="https://allcbts.com/news/rivers-state-university-rsu-postgraduate-admissions-2026-2027-apply-now">Rivers State University (RSU) Postgraduate Admissions 2026/2027: Apply Now</a></h5>
</li>
<li class="card-title">
<h5><a href="https://allcbts.com/news/jamb-2026-results-are-out-how-to-navigate-the-2026-2027-admission-maze">JAMB 2026 Results Are Out: How to Navigate the 2026/2027 Admission Maze</a></h5>
</li>
<li class="card-title">
<h5><a href="https://allcbts.com/news/newgate-university-minna-num-postgraduate-admissions-2026-2027-1">Newgate University Minna (NUM) Postgraduate Admissions 2026/2027</a></h5>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 data-path-to-node="8">New Readers (Associate Professors)</h3>
<p data-path-to-node="9">Additionally, four lecturers were promoted from <strong data-path-to-node="9" data-index-in-node="48">Senior Lecturer</strong> to <strong data-path-to-node="9" data-index-in-node="67">Reader</strong>, marking their transition into the senior cadre of the university's academic leadership.</p>
<ul data-path-to-node="10">
<li>
<p data-path-to-node="10,0,0"><strong data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Dr. Patrick Ushie</strong> – Department of Physics</p>
</li>
<li>
<p data-path-to-node="10,1,0"><strong data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Dr. Ujong Peter Ujong</strong> – Department of Medical Biochemistry</p>
</li>
<li>
<p data-path-to-node="10,2,0"><strong data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Dr. (Mrs) Victoria Iyishu</strong> – Department of Library and Information Science</p>
</li>
<li>
<p data-path-to-node="10,3,0"><strong data-path-to-node="10,3,0" data-index-in-node="0">Dr. Jerome Egbe</strong> – Department of Civil Engineering</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 data-path-to-node="12">A Commitment to Excellence</h3>
<p data-path-to-node="13">During the announcement, Professor Francisca Bassey lauded the newly promoted staff for their "unwavering dedication and scholarly contributions." She noted that these advancements are a reflection of individual hard work and the university's broader goal of fostering excellence in <strong data-path-to-node="13" data-index-in-node="283">research, teaching, and community engagement.</strong></p>
<blockquote data-path-to-node="14">
<p data-path-to-node="14,0">"Their advancement reflects both individual merit and the institution’s ongoing pursuit of excellence." — <strong data-path-to-node="14,0" data-index-in-node="106">Prof. Francisca Bassey, VC UNICROSS</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<p data-path-to-node="15">The UNICROSS community has been abuzz with congratulatory messages, viewing this development as a sign of the institution's steady academic growth and a motivation for other staff members to continue their pursuit of academic rigor.</p>
<p data-path-to-node="17"><strong data-path-to-node="17" data-index-in-node="0">Are you a student in any of these departments? It’s a great time to reach out and congratulate your lecturers on their new milestones!</strong></p>