The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has achieved full accreditation for seven academic programmes following the National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation exercise conducted in October and November 2025. The accreditation, valid for five years, was confirmed in a letter signed by NUC Executive Secretary Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu.
Accredited Programmes
The programmes granted full accreditation include Forestry and Wildlife Management, Anatomy, Computer Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Law, Physics, and Criminology and Security Studies. These programmes span multiple faculties, such as Agriculture, Basic Medical Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Law, Science, and Social Sciences.
NUC Standards and Quality Assurance
The NUC stated that the programmes met all required benchmarks in staffing, curriculum implementation, infrastructure, and quality assurance. The commission emphasized that the exercise was part of its statutory duty to ensure universities adhere to minimum academic standards for quality teaching, learning, and research.
Benefits of Accreditation
With this accreditation, the affected departments can continue admitting students and running undergraduate and postgraduate programmes without restrictions for the next five years. The status also guarantees nationwide recognition of certificates issued by these programmes, ensuring graduates remain eligible for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation.
University Response
University authorities described the outcome as a significant boost to the institution's academic reputation and a reflection of its commitment to maintaining high educational standards. The accreditation is expected to strengthen academic offerings, improve learning facilities, and deepen research and innovation activities.
The NUC Director of Accreditation, Engr. Abraham Chundusu, commended the university for achieving the standards required for full accreditation. This milestone reinforces UNICAL's standing as a leading Nigerian university dedicated to producing skilled graduates and advancing knowledge through quality education and research.
