NUGA 2026: UNICAL kickstarts development of sports facilities

As part of activities to celebrate the University of Calabar’s (UNICAL) 50th anniversary, the management of the school has disclosed plans to develop its sporting and recreational facilities for a successful hosting of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) 2026.

Speaking during the flag-off of activities marking the anniversary, at the Council Chambers, yesterday, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, said that developing the sporting and recreational facilities remains one of the expected achievements of the unique ceremony for the 50th anniversary of the institution, adding that UNICAL was given the hosting right after about 33 years.

Prof. Obi highlighted other expected achievements targeted at promoting excellence, and the UNICAL brand including the commencement of the foundation work for a standard Senate building befitting the 50-year-old second-generation university, and the construction of a convocation arena for academic ceremonies.

According to her, from 1975, the university, being among the seven second-generation universities established under the National Higher Education Expansion Progamme of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has grown from a 406-student population to over 40,000, and a staff population of over 8,000.

The VC added that the ceremony would feature the honoring of alumni, staff, both academic and non-teaching, and principal officers, who have been very supportive in diverse ways of the growth and development of the university.