UNICAL Crisis: Peter Obi Urges Protection for Students Amid Leadership Failures

 Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for urgent action to shield students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) from the fallout of leadership failures, in a statement released on July 19, 2025. 

The appeal comes amid escalating tensions following the indefinite closure of the institution on July 15, triggered by student protests over unpaid staff salaries, dilapidated infrastructure, and allegations of mismanagement against Vice-Chancellor Florence Obi. The protests, involving over 5,000 students, led to clashes with police, resulting in 12 arrests and minor injuries, as the university grapples with a N2 billion funding deficit.

Obi, a prominent opposition figure, criticized the federal and state governments for neglecting Nigeria’s education sector, where 70% of universities face similar crises, according to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). He urged stakeholders to prioritize student welfare, proposing a N500 million emergency fund to restore basic services like hostels and libraries. 

UNICAL’s leadership has blamed funding cuts and bureaucratic delays, but student leaders accuse the administration of corruption, citing unaccounted grants worth N300 million. The closure has disrupted 30,000 students, with many facing accommodation issues, prompting Obi to demand a transparent audit. The situation remains volatile, with negotiations ongoing as of July 20.