The College of Education, Afaha Nsit, was established on January 10, 1991, during the Military Administration of the Late Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga. The vision behind its creation was to strengthen the foundation of tertiary education in Akwa Ibom State, which had only recently been created three years earlier.
The institution, which inherited the facilities of the renowned Teachers Training College (TTC), was designed to provide quality educational programmes and policies that would promote excellence in teacher education and align with global best practices.
Since its inception, the College has served as a critical platform for human capacity development — molding generations of educators whose contributions have significantly shaped the educational and social landscape of Akwa Ibom State and beyond.
Education and the ARISE Agenda
When His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D, was sworn in as the fifth Governor of Akwa Ibom State on May 29, 2023, he made education a central pillar of his administration’s development policy under the ARISE Agenda.
From the outset, Governor Eno’s commitment to education has been evident in his emphasis on making learning the bedrock of the future for every Akwa Ibom child. The implementation of the ARISE Agenda has produced visible transformation across the education sector — including infrastructural upgrades, the establishment of model schools across the 31 local government areas, capacity building for teachers, ICT-driven learning, vocational training enhancement, curriculum reforms, and improved student support through bursaries.
Governor Umo Eno’s proactive leadership has redefined education not merely as a policy priority but as a sustainable pathway for societal advancement and generational empowerment.
The Upgrade to a University of Education
On Monday, October 13, 2025, the administration of Governor Umo Eno achieved another major milestone when the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council approved the upgrade of the College of Education, Afaha Nsit, to the Akwa Ibom University of Education.
This landmark decision has been widely applauded as a bold and visionary step toward strengthening tertiary education in the state and complementing existing higher institutions with a specialized university focused on teacher education and professional development.
The new Akwa Ibom University of Education will have the mandate to award Diplomas, Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), Master of Education (M.Ed.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. It will also continue to award the National Certificate of Education (NCE) through its Institute of Education, domiciled in the Faculty of Education.
This development followed an intensive and transparent transformation process, including legislative approval after a public hearing with contributions from key stakeholders, culminating in the signing of the enabling law by Governor Umo Eno.
A Strategic Leap for Human Capital Development
The establishment of the Akwa Ibom University of Education addresses a long-standing challenge — the shortage of qualified professional teachers in schools. The institution will serve as a centre for the training and retraining of educators, ensuring a sustainable pipeline of competent teaching professionals.
By obtaining full autonomy as a degree-awarding institution under the supervision of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Federal Ministry of Education, the University will be positioned to expand student enrolment, maintain quality standards, and operate without dependence on affiliations to other institutions.
This initiative aligns perfectly with the ARISE Agenda’s focus on human capital development and the creation of opportunities for Akwa Ibom youths.
Stakeholder Collaboration and Visionary Leadership
The success of this transformation has been made possible through effective collaboration between the Ministry of Education, led by Professor Ubong Essien Umoh, the Management of the College of Education, Afaha Nsit, members of the State Legislature — particularly Rt. Hon. Eric Akpan, who represents the host community — and other stakeholders who share Governor Umo Eno’s vision of advancing tertiary education in Akwa Ibom State.
The presence of multiple tertiary institutions in the state will continue to produce skilled professionals capable of driving innovation, service delivery, and economic growth, while sustaining the ideals of the ARISE Agenda.
Conclusion
The upgrade of the College of Education, Afaha Nsit, to a full-fledged University of Education stands as a historic achievement in Akwa Ibom’s educational journey. It underscores Governor Umo Eno’s dedication to building a legacy of learning, opportunity, and transformation for present and future generations.
Indeed, there is a future in every generation of Akwa Ibom State — and under Governor Umo Eno’s leadership, that future continues to shine brightly.
Akwa Ibom is Rising.
By Amos Etuk
