By Kelvin Ololo
The Cross River State Government says more than ₦17 billion has been invested in basic education interventions, resulting in the construction of 149 new classrooms, rehabilitation of 50 classroom blocks, provision of 30 boreholes and procurement of 23,461 customised school furniture across the 18 local government areas between 2023 and 2025.
Commissioner for Education, Prof. Stephen Odey, disclosed this during a press briefing with journalists at the Ministry of Education Headquarters in Calabar on Monday, June 15, 2026, where he outlined the achievements of Governor Bassey Otu’s administration in the education sector.
According to the commissioner, education remains one of the top priorities of the current administration, with significant investments made to improve access, infrastructure, quality assurance and educational outcomes across the state.
“The Otu administration has given a top priority to education in the state compared with other administrations,” Odey said.
Prof. Odey revealed that the state successfully accessed Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) intervention funds for 2023, 2024 and 2025 after paying the required counterpart contributions.
He said the state secured a total of ₦17,010,140,256.12 in matching grants, making Cross River one of the few states currently up to date in accessing UBEC intervention funds.
The commissioner noted that the intervention program has led to the execution of 229 educational projects statewide, including classroom construction, rehabilitation of dilapidated structures, provision of boreholes, drainage projects, furniture procurement and supply of school equipment.
Some projects, he said, are still ongoing in various parts of the state.
“While most states are battling to provide backlog of counterpart funds for intervention projects, Cross River State is up to date with the acquisition of UBEC intervention funds up to 2025,” he stated.
Beyond classroom infrastructure, the commissioner highlighted other achievements recorded by the ministry under the Otu administration.
These include the comprehensive renovation and furnishing of the Ministry of Education headquarters, remodelling of the State Library Complex, construction of office facilities for education boards and agencies, and the distribution of 50,000 exercise books facilitated by the wife of the governor for students across the state.
He also disclosed that the government has paid ₦1.18 billion in West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for indigenous students over three consecutive years.
According to him, the administration has also recorded major policy and institutional milestones, including the establishment of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship (UEE), Akamkpa, Approval of a Federal Technical College in Akansoko, Akpabuyo; Implementation of the new national minimum wage; enactment of the Cross River State Senior Secondary Education Board Law, 2026; strengthening of the Cross River State Scholarship Board, increased funding and subvention for the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) staff welfare and manpower development initiatives; digitization of the Ministry of Education; hosting of the 2024 National Joint Consultative Committee on Education in Calabar.
The commissioner further noted that safety jackets had been distributed to schools located in riverine communities, while training materials under the World Bank-assisted HOPE Education Project were approved for printing and distribution.
Responding to questions from journalists on the shortage of teachers in public schools, allegations of unpaid salaries, school management practices and the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike at UNICROSS, Prof. Odey said government was already addressing the concerns.
He disclosed that plans were underway to recruit more teachers to strengthen learning across public schools in the state.
On reports that some schools keep students beyond the approved closing hours, the commissioner warned that sanctions would be imposed on any school found violating government regulations.
He stressed that schools are expected to dismiss students by the stipulated 2PM closing time, adding that defaulting institutions risk having their operational approvals withdrawn.
Regarding the ongoing ASUU strike at the state-owned university, Odey appealed to the union to reconsider its position, assuring that Governor Otu was fully aware of the issues and working towards resolving them.
The commissioner also urged journalists and members of the public to verify information through appropriate channels within the ministry before publication.
He warned that inaccurate reporting could misrepresent government policies and create misconceptions about the state of education in Cross River.
“The issues of educational planning, management and administration have been clearly articulated by the constitution and the National Policy on Education,” Odey said, adding that the administration’s reforms were aimed at providing a solid foundation for sustainable educational development.
The briefing comes amid ongoing efforts by the state government to improve educational infrastructure, expand access to learning opportunities and strengthen institutional frameworks across the education sector.
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