The second anniversary of the Cross River State Chief Education Officer’s tenure is marked today with a press briefing, which showcased the Ministry of Education’s significant reforms and landmark achievements over the past two years. Recall that Senator Professor Stephen Odey, was inaugurated as the Commissioner for Education on August 16, 2023 by His Excellency, Senator Apostle Prince Bassey Edet Otu, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, with the task of delivering on the core mandates related to education development in the State. The Ministry of Education’s main responsibilities include formulating policies and ensuring quality education in the State.
While addressing journalists from NTA, Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC), and other media organizations at his office in Calabar, Professor Odey conveyed his gratitude to the press for their continued collaboration, highlighting that education remains a fundamental aspect of the Governor, Apostle Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s administration. “We have achieved a total transformation in the Ministry of Education. With His Excellency’s passion and support, Cross River State has become a model for quality and innovative education in Nigeria,” he stated as he reeled out the Ministry’s achievements.
One of the landmark achievements under Governor Otu’s administration is the creation of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa, which is already operational and has matriculated its first set of students. According to the Commissioner, the institution was conceived to prepare students not only with academic qualifications but also with practical entrepreneurial skills that will make them job creators, as His Excellency, Governor Otu, emphasized diversification. Our people must not only graduate with certificates but with skills to establish businesses and employ others. That is the essence of this new University, and it has been applauded across the State and Nation” Prof Odey explained.
The Cross River State Ministry of Education superintends over 1,055 Public Primary Schools, 310 Public Secondary Schools & Technical colleges and regulate the operation of 867 Private Nursery/Primary Schools & 497 Private Secondary Schools & Colleges. The Ministry also controls and supervises the following Institutions/MDAs; University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa, Teachers Continuous Training Institute, Biase. The MDAs are State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), State Secondary Education Board (SSEB), Science and Technical Education Board (STEB), State Library Board, State Scholarship Board and Adult and Non Formal Education Agency. Within two years, the Ministry have been able to record the under-listed achievements:
Facilitated the registration of 16,301 SS 3 2024 May/June WAEC candidates of Cross River State origin as approved by His Excellency, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Apostle Prince Bassey Edet Otu. This effort paid off with a satisfactory performance of 72.1% score for candidates with 5 credits and above including English and Mathematics indicating an appreciable improvement over the 2023 WAEC performance.
Installation of Solar System and CCTV camera in the office, Supply and furnishing of some offices in the Ministry of Education with Tables, Chairs, Fans, Computers & Air Conditioners and refurbishing of the Ministry’s 50KVA generating plant etc.
Generated Two Hundred and Twenty Million, Nine Hundred and Ten Thousand, Six Hundred and Sixty Naira (N220,910,660) from September, 2023 to November, 2024 into the coffer of the Cross River State Government (pay-direct system) surpassing the One Hundred and Sixty-Four Million, Two Hundred and Twenty-One Thousand Naira (N164,221,000) revenue target given to the Ministry for the 2024 Financial Year by the State Budget Office by Fifteen Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ten Naira (N15,967,710)
While N228,640,875.05 (Two Hundred and Twenty-Eight Million, Six Hundred and Forty Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy-five Naira, Five Kobo) was generated from January to July, 2025 for 2025 fiscal year. Surpassing the Ministry revenue target of N144,840,800.00 (One Hundred and Forty-Four Million, Eight Hundred and Forty Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira) by N83,800,087.05 (Eighty-Three Million, Eight Hundred Thousand, Eighty-Seven Naira, Five Kobo).
Recovered over Twenty Million Naira (N20, 000,000) being illegal collections from school Principals.
Collaborated with the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) for the retraining of eighty (80) English and Mathematics teachers for States in South – South Geo-political Zone from 10th – 15th November, 2024 at Danic and Kevs Hotel Calabar.
Hosting of the 2024 Joint Consultative Committee on Education (JCCE) Reference Committees Meeting with the theme: Innovation, Digital Technology and Entrepreneurship: Tools for Educational and National Development in the 21st Century, held in College of Health Technology, Calabar from 28th – 29th May, 2024.
Appointment of ten substantive Executive Secretaries (ESs) of Local Government Education Authorities of Obudu, Etung, Akpabuyo, Biase, Obubra, Calabar South, Ogoja, Bekwarra, Ikom and Yakurr to fill the existing vacancies as approved by His Excellency, the Governor.
Digitalization of the Ministry of Education first of its kind in the State that led to the successful conduct of 2024 Primary Six Placement Exams, Basic Education Certificate Examination (JSS3 BECE) and SS II Mock Examinations and online publication of results for the first time by the Ministry. In 2025 registration of all State Exams was done online and the Ministry is about to release the 2025 all State Exams results.
Facilitated the takeover of Institute of Technology and Management (ITM-Ugep) by Federal Polytechnic Ugep. Action already completed.
Renovation of the Ministry of Education Headquarters Complex, Annex buildings, Exams Department, Planning, Research and Statistics department buildings.
Introduced Uniformity in resumption and closing dates for all public and Private Primary and Secondary Schools in the State.
Released backlog of primary six (6) placement Exam results, JSS 3, BECE results and SS II Mock result for the 2022/2023 academic session which was not released by the previous administration.
Secured approval from His Excellency, the Governor for the recruitment of Two Hundred and Nineteen (219) Academic and non-Academic staff for University of Cross River State on the 23rd April, 2024, though yet to be implemented.
Sponsored students’ participation at State and Zonal levels of National; Democratic and Legislative Studies; Secondary Schools Quiz Competition 2023 held in Calabar and Uyo, October/November, 2023;
Reviewed obsolete guidelines for establishment of Nursery, Primary, and Secondary Schools in the State and equally reviewed obsolete guidelines for PTA in the State 2023.
Embarked on regular inspections/monitoring of Schools which led to the closure of some illegal Schools that did not meet the required standard as enshrined in the Ministry of Education guidelines. This action is to serve as a deterrent to others. The affected schools are:
Glorious Vision Academy, Ugep
Dynamic Premiere Academy, Ugep
Wealth Academy Nursery/Primary, School Apiapum-Obubra.
18th February, 2025: Closure of two illegal schools in Etung LGA, the schools are:
Express Pathway Academy, Effraye Junction.
Lord Animex Standard School, Effraya Junction.
26th March, 2025: Closure of two illegal schools in Calabar South LGA.
Gods Connection High School, Nelson Mandela by Bassey Duke Street, Calabar South.
T Day Spring Collegiate Stars 25/28 Egertin Street, Calabar South
Inauguration of some Boards under the Ministry of Education that is, Science and Technical Education Board (STEB), State Scholarship Board, Governing Council of College of Education, Akamkpa, and State Library Board;
Execution of 49Nos Projects by SUBEB in the 2023 UBEC Intervention Funds (Exco Memo presented by the Commissioner for regularization), on June, 2024;
The State has been able to access SUBEB Matching Grant for 2024 after payment of the counterpart fund of 3.5 Billion Naira in September, 2024 (Exco Memo presented by the Commissioner) on September, 2024.
Successful conduct of 1st Annual Seminar of Young Farmers Club in Cross River State Public Schools on the 24th of September, 2024 to encourage Agriculture in our school system.
Organized a Quarterly enlightenment/sensitization programme for Principals, Head teachers and stakeholders of Education in the State.
Granted approvals of Authority-To-Operate (ATO) to 76 Nursery/Primary Schools and 71 Secondary Schools across the State during the period under review.
Cleared the Ministry’s indebtedness to PHED for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 with a total sum of Fifteen Million Naira (N15,000,000).
Organized the 2023/2024 Read and Write Competition and the final was held in Central Senatorial District (Yakurr LGA).
Procurement and supply of Safety Life Jackets (floaters) for use by teachers in riverine areas of Bakassi LGA to address the challenge of riverine Schools.
Won 3rd position in the 24th Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship in Lagos.
Won an Award as the Best Commissioner for Education in Nigeria by National Leadership Award Limited, held in Abuja October 9, 2024.
Won an Award as the Most Proactive and Excellent Report Writing Commissioner for Education in Nigeria with an IPAD Prize by the Federal Ministry of Education presented by the Hon. Minister of Education on 10th October, 2024.
Won 3rd position in 2024 Annual National Science Technology/Innovation Exhibition by NSSEC in Abuja.
MEMOS PRESENTED IN THE STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
February, 2024
Memo on Approval for the Registration of Candidates of CRS origin in public Secondary Schools for WAEC as presented by the Hon. Commissioner for Education and the sum of N440,127,000 (Four Hundred and Forty Million, One Hundred and Twenty Seven Thousand Naira) only .
March 2024
Memo on ratification of approval to commence procurement process for the award of contracts for construction, rehabilitation projects and procurement of customized plastic chairs and tables under 2023 UBE/SUBEB intervention fund as presented by the Hon. Commissioner for Education. Exco approved the sum of N553,303,360.00 (Five Hundred and Fifty Three Million, Three Hundred and Three Thousand, Three Hundred and Sixty Naira).
December, 2024
Presentation of Memo to State Executive Council of Cross River State for the repealing of the State Secondary Education Board existing law and disarticulation of Junior Secondary School from Senior Secondary School in the State as presented by the Hon. Commissioner for Education and approved by Exco.
Determined to collaborate strongly, the Commissioner, has further written to the under-listed (Development Partners) requesting for their intervention/supports in the Education development in the State:
Cross Riverians in the Diaspora (CRID)
Country Director/Representative for IFAD in Nigeria
United Nation High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Nigeria
United Nation Fund for Population Activity (UNFPA)
United Nation International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
United State Agency for International Development (USAID)
Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Lafarge Africa Plc.
Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) etc.
YEAR 2025 ACHIEVEMENTS
January 2025
In a bid to position the Cross River State Ministry of Education to better function in harmony with the Federal Ministry of Education’s organizational structure, two new Departments were created in the Ministry, they are Special Duties Department and Safe Schools/Nutrition Department.
Department of Special Duties
Functions of Special Duties Department are as follows:
To assist the Honourable Commissioner in the discharge of his responsibilities as provided in the policy document and schedule to ensure that his activities follow espoused priorities;
Assist the Honourable Commissioner identify best performing Staff, Teachers and Administrators of Educational Services for Awards and Commendations;
Periodic Monitoring and Evaluation of all Zonal Intervention/Ministry Projects as captured in the Cross River State due process guidelines;
Organization of monthly, bimonthly, annual or biannual Stakeholders’ interactive forum involving all the Institutions, Boards and Agencies under the Ministry.
Coordination of the Commissioner’s response to Emergency Engagements;
Handling functions of Ad-Hoc nature as may be assigned from time to time by the Commissioner/Management;
Oversees the travel and protocol of the Commissioner;
Supervises, renewal of Diplomatic/Official/Standard passports for Commissioner for Education and other Principal Officers of the Ministry; Oversees Airport travel iteneries for the Commissioner for Education and other VIPs to the Ministry as well as Local and Oversea trips.
Department of Safe Schools/Nutrition. Ensure that schools are sited in disaster free locations;
Ensure that perimeter fencing of schools is sustained;
Supervise the activities of the school security guards; Periodic sensitization of the school community to eliminate act of bullying and indiscipline in our schools; Coordinate activities of child labour and abuse during school hours; Report cases of maltreatment of pupils and students by teachers to the relevant authorities for appropriate actions; Create awareness and promote a culture of social and environmental safeguard;
Handle issues of encroachment on school lands; Coordinate the establishment of safe school clubs in schools; Coordinate community outreach programs in schools;
Help to enforce and monitor school rules and regulations to ensure compliance; Report all cases of unsecured school environment to maintain child protection, safety, health and welfare of pupils and students in schools.
Any other duty as may be assigned by the Honourable Commissioner for Education.
The Commissioner also sought and got approval from His Excellency, the Governor for the registration of 14,804 Cross River State SS3 indigenous students for the 2025 WAEC registration at N27,000 per student totalling N399,798,000.00. Three Hundred and Ninety-Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Eight Thousand Naira).
16th January, 2025: Approval at the State Executive (EXCO) meeting for the establishment of University of Education and Entrepreneurship in Akamkpa.
Regularization of 60No. Adhoc Staff in the Ministry of Education into the Mainstream State Civil Service.
February/March 2025: Conducted Annual School Census for 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 involving all Public and Private Primary, Secondary and Technical Colleges.
8th April, 2025: Hosted a one day interactive session with 18 Local Government Council Chairmen of Cross River State, Board Members of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) with the Honourable Commissioner for Education and Management on the role of Council Chairmen in Basic Education.
February – May, 2025: Online registration of 2025 Primary six Placement, JSS3, BECE and SSII Mock Examinations.
11th – 12th June, 2025: A 2 Day Intensive Hands on Training for Chemistry Teachers in partnership with American Chemical Society, University of Calabar International student Chapter held in West African People’s Institute, Calabar.
30th June – 11th July, 2025: Conducted 2025 Primary six Placement Exams, JSS3, BECE Exams and SSII Mock Examination.
22nd July, 2025: Approval to embark on a state-wide operation to shut down illegal/unaccredited schools in the State by Exco.
At the Ministry of Education Headquarters in Calabar, the Commissioner announced the online release of Primary 6 placement results for 2025 set, during the press briefing marking his second anniversary in office, as he finally affirmed; “We remain dedicated to sustaining reforms, driving innovation, and ensuring that Cross River State continues to be a centre of academic excellence in Nigeria,”
By SaintAugustine Adula Odey,
August 19, 2025.
