University of Calabar

The University of Calabar (UNICAL) is a prominent federal university located in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Established in April 1975, it began academic operations as a campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, before gaining autonomy in October 1976. As one of Nigeria’s “second-generation” federal universities, UNICAL has grown significantly to become a major hub for higher education in the South-South region and beyond. Situated in Calabar Municipal, an ancient city renowned for its rich culture and history of interaction with Western civilization, UNICAL occupies a sprawling 17-hectare campus between the Great Qua River and the Calabar River. Its motto, “Knowledge for Service,” reflects its commitment to producing graduates who contribute meaningfully to national and global development.

UNICAL offers a wide array of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across numerous faculties and institutes, including:

• Agriculture, Forestry & Wildlife Resource Management
• Allied Medical Sciences
• Arts
• Basic Medical Sciences
• Biological Sciences
• Clinical Sciences
• Dentistry
• Education (including Arts and Social Science Education, Educational Foundation Studies, and Vocational and Science Education)
• Engineering & Technology
• Environmental Sciences
• Law
• Management Sciences
• Medical Laboratory Science
• Oceanography
• Pharmacy
• Physical Sciences
• Social Sciences

The university is particularly known for its strong emphasis on learning, research, and character development.¹² It prides itself on being a significant academic custodian of the rich local culture, notably through the acclaimed performances of its Department of Theatre Arts.

UNICAL has been a pioneer in digitizing its administrative processes, being one of the first Nigerian universities to automate student registration through its College Portal and also implementing online transcript requests – a first of its kind in the country.¹⁴ This commitment to digital transformation aligns with recent national initiatives, such as the $40 million Blueprint ICT Development Project, in which UNICAL is a key beneficiary.

The University of Calabar has produced a long list of distinguished alumni who have excelled in various fields, including politics, entertainment, business, and academia, further cementing its legacy as a vital institution in Nigeria’s educational landscape.