By Our Reporter
Professor OtoAbasi Etim Akpan has been appointed the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State (AKSU). The handing over formalities took place Saturday, August 2, 2025 at the University Liaison Office, Shelter Afrique, Uyo.
Prof. Akpan, until his recent appointment was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, AKSU. He is a Professor of History of Ideas and International Security Studies.
He has held offices as: Member, Governing Council; Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration and Head of Campus, Obio Akpa; Dean, Faculty of Arts; Director, International Collaborations and Linkages; University Orator; Head, Department of History and International Studies, all in Akwa Ibom State University.
Prof. Akpan is a distinguished Sabbatical Fellow of the National Defence College, Abuja; Visiting Professor of the University of Abuja Leadership Centre, Universities of Uyo, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Obong University and Nasarawa State University.
He has also served as Member, Governing Council of the Uyo Business School; Board Member, Institute of Governance and Social Research (IGSR), Jos, Plateau State.
Prof. Akpan is currently the National President of the College of Professors in Nigeria (CoPIN), also the President Emeritus, Pan-African Historical Society; Dean Emeritus, Ibibio Academic Roundtable; Ambassador of the United Nations Peace Volunteers and Chairman, Mary Slessor Institute of African Policy Studies.
He is a Member of World History Association and 13 other globally recognised Professional bodies. He has to his credit One Hundred and Three scholarly publications cutting across journals, books and conference proceedings.
Prof. Akpan joined the services of Akwa Ibom State University in 2013. He started his career in the University system as an Assistant Lecturer, University of Uyo in February, 1997. His academic sojourn has taken him through the University of Calabar (BA Hons- History), University of Ibadan (MA–History of Ideas), University of Jos (Msc–International Relations and Strategic Studies) and University of Port Harcourt (PhD–Diplomatic Studies). He began his teaching career as Auxiliary Teacher upon finishing Secondary School.
A native of Ibiaku Itam, Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Prof. Akpan is married and blessed with five lovely children.
He takes over from Prof. Nse U. Essien, a Professor of Sedimentology (Petroleum Geology) on the successful completion of his tenure as the Vice-Chancellor.
Present during the handing over formalities were: The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Ita Ewa-Oboho; the Registrar and Secretary to Council and Senate, Dr. Ebi G. Eno-Ibanga, FNIM; the University Librarian, Dr. Nse E. Akwang; the Head of Obio Akpa Campus and Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Nkanikpo I.Ibok; staff from the Directorate of Information, Public Relations and Protocol, as well as some Administrative staff.
