December 31, 2025
In just two years plus, the administration of Governor Bassey Otu has boldly repositioned education in Cross River State, moving the sector from years of neglect to measurable excellence. Through clear political will and decisive leadership, the Governor’s education blueprint is being vigorously implemented by the Commissioner for Education, Senator Professor Stephen Odey Esq., delivering tangible results across access, quality, infrastructure, discipline, and accountability.
As a direct education palliative to the people, the Otu administration fully sponsored WAEC registration for students of Cross River origin. In 2024, 16,301 candidates were funded at a cost of ₦440.1 million, raising the credit pass rate from 68.9% in 2023 to 72.1% in 2024. In 2025, the government again demonstrated unwavering commitment by sponsoring 14,804 candidates with ₦399.7 million. The outcome is undeniable—Cross River ranked 4th nationally in the 2024 NECO examinations, recording an impressive 76.68% success rate.
The administration has also restored standards, discipline, and integrity to the education system. Illegal and unapproved schools have been shut down statewide, while far-reaching policies now enforce a uniform academic calendar, abolish exploitative graduation ceremonies, regulate textbook usage, prohibit compulsory after-school lessons, and mandate establishment of Anti-Drug and Anti-Bullying Clubs in all schools.
Infrastructure and institutional reforms remain at the heart of this transformation. The once-neglected Cross River State Library has been rebuilt into a modern digital knowledge hub, while the former College of Education, Akamkpa, has been upgraded to the University of Education and Entrepreneurship (UEE) with full NUC accreditation, positioning Cross River as a centre for innovation, skills development, and self-reliance.
Teacher welfare and capacity building have received unprecedented attention. Over 1,475 teachers have been trained, 400 new teachers approved and recruited, and merit-based promotions fully restored. Teachers in riverine communities are now equipped with safety life jackets, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to protecting and valuing every educator, regardless of location.
The Ministry of Education has also embraced digital administration, digitizing major state examinations (Primary 6 placement, JSS3 BECE, & SS2 Mock), introducing student index numbers, conducting annual school censuses, and partnering with the World Bank to address literacy and numeracy gaps. Today, parents can access examination results online from anywhere in the world.
Further underscoring its commitment, the government increased University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) subvention from ₦200 million to ₦400 million monthly, renovated the Ministry of Education headquarters, introduced Young Farmers Clubs in schools, guaranteed free issuance of BECE certificates, and ensured the early release of State examination results (Primary 6 placement, JSS3 BECE, and SS2 Mock).
Senator Professor Stephen Odey, Esq has made it clear that negligence, bribery, falsification of data, or failure to enforce standards will not be tolerated, warning that erring officials will be sanctioned or replaced.
“Education is not an option—it is the foundation of our future. Under Governor Otu’s leadership, Cross River is reclaiming its rightful place as a model of educational excellence in Nigeria,” Professor Odey affirmed.
As 2025 comes to a close and 2026 begins, Cross River citizens can be assured of even greater achievements ahead. Together, the Otu-led administration remains committed to taking education in the state to greater heights, positioning Cross River as a pacesetter for educational excellence in Nigeria.
Happy New Year in advance.