The 10th Governing Council of the University of Uyo, has announced the appointment of Professor Iniobong Uko as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) under the leadership of Dr. Muiz Banire, OON, SAN, who is the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the institution.

At the 140th Senate meeting presided by the 9th Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Christopher N. Ekong, the appointment followed procedural nomination process, held on July 1, 2026 at the 1000-Seater TETFund Auditorium, Main Campus, Nwaniba Road, Uyo. 

 

The name was thereafter recommended to the 10th Governing Council for approval and appointment. 


The new DVC Academic is a Professor of English. The appointment is for a period of two years.

 Professor Uko is an accomplished scholar, administrator, literary critic, and gender studies specialist with over three decades of distinguished service in teaching, research, academic enterprise and University leadership.

 

 

Born and raised in Calabar, Cross River State, Professor Uko obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree (Second Class Honours, Upper Division) in English and Literary Studies from the University of Calabar in 1985. Following the successful completion of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Yola, then Gongola State, she returned to the University of Calabar, where she earned a Master’s degree in English and Literary Studies in 1988.

 

 

She began her professional career as a Presenter with the then Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (Television Service), which later became the Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation. Driven by a passion for scholarship and a desire to contribute more directly to societal development, she transitioned from broadcasting into academia.

 

 

In her deep-seated passion to impact knowledge, Uko joined the then University of Cross River State in 1990. Following the creation of Akwa Ibom State and the establishment of the University of Uyo, she became one of the pioneering academic staff of the institution. In 1997, she earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in English Studies, specializing in African Literature (Gender Studies), from the University of Port Harcourt.

 

 

Her administrative career at the University of Uyo began in 1998 when she was appointed the pioneer Vice-Dean of Student Affairs. In that role, she provided leadership in student welfare and mentoring, particularly among female students, while contributing significantly to the University’s student support system.

 

 

Between 2001 and 2005, Professor Uko served as Assistant Professor and Visiting Scholar in the Department of Africana Studies at the University of Michigan-Flint, United States of America. During this period, she taught courses in African Literature, Gender Studies and African-Diasporic Literature while building enduring international academic collaborations and expanding her research profile.

 

 

On her return to the University of Uyo in 2005, she was appointed Acting Head of the Department of English. Under her leadership, the Department successfully secured Full Accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) in 2006. She was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor the same year and attained the rank of Professor of English in 2009.

 

 

Uko, has held several strategic leadership positions within the University. She served as Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Arts from 2006 to 2009 and coordinated the University’s General Studies English courses (GST 111 and GST 121). As Director of General Studies (GST), she implemented significant reforms that modernized the programme, including the integration of entrepreneurship into the curriculum. She has been a member of the University Senate since 2005 and became a Life Member of Senate in 2009.

 

 

In 2012, she was appointed to establish the University’s Basic Studies Programme at the Ediene Abak Campus. Her visionary leadership led to the successful transition of the programme from the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) to the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB), positioning the University of Uyo among the pioneering institutions that own and operate the JUPEB programme in Nigeria. Her foundational work continues to shape the programme’s growth and success.

 

 

Beyond the University of Uyo, Professor Uko has made significant contributions to higher education in Nigeria. Since 2013, she has served as a Resource Person to the National Universities Commission (NUC), participating in accreditation exercises as both member and chairperson across several Nigerian universities. She has also served as External Examiner to numerous universities and postgraduate programmes across the country.

 

 

Her professional leadership includes serving as National Treasurer of the Nigerian English Studies Association (NESA) from 2008 to 2013 and Treasurer of the Forum of Women Professors, University of Uyo, since 2023.

 

 

This experienced teacher has earned international recognition through her scholarly contributions. Since 2007, she has served as Associate Editor of African Literature Today (ALT), the oldest international journal devoted to African literature. She was also Coordinating Editor of Masterpieces of African Literature published in 2014.

 

 

She has served as External Assessor for the Nigeria Prize for Literature sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), Resource Person for the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Supervisor for the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB), and adjudicator for several national essay competitions, including the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition.

 

 

Within the University of Uyo, the highly revered English expert has served on numerous committees relating to academic planning, ethics, quality assurance, accreditation, fundraising, international programmes, research development, anti-corruption initiatives, convocation planning and institutional governance. Her extensive committee service reflects her unwavering commitment to the growth and development of the University.

 

 

This dark skinned scholar has also demonstrated commitment to community service through her membership of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Special Marshal Corps and other educational and community-based initiatives.

 

 

She is a member of several professional associations, including the African Literature Association (ALA), English Scholars’ Association of Nigeria (ESAN), Literary Society of Nigeria (LSN), African Studies Association of Africa (ASAA), Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), and the National Association of Artificial Intelligence Practitioners (NAAIP).

 

 

She is the 52nd Inaugural Lecturer of the University of Uyo and currently serves as Consultant External Editor to the Faculty of Management Sciences, Durban University of Technology, South Africa.

 

 

A prolific scholar with numerous publications in African literature, gender studies and literary criticism. Her appointment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) reflects the confidence of the University in her wealth of experience, administrative competence and unwavering commitment to academic excellence.

 

 

Professor Iniobong Uko is married, blessed with children and grandchildren