Prof. Florence Obi: Taking Responsibility, Not Competing for Legacy
By Ebi COLLINS
As Professor Florence Obi enters the final stretch of her tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, recent controversies surrounding the Faculty of Dentistry appear to be part of a calculated political campaign designed to tarnish her legacy. With just four months remaining in office, the timing of this backlash raises critical questions about motive, suggesting that it is less about institutional concerns and more about succession politics and personal vendettas.
This wave of criticism is being fueled largely by individuals who have long opposed Prof. Obi’s leadership, those disenchanted by her reformist agenda, those sidelined from questionable financial advantages, and those who believe they were not sufficiently rewarded during her tenure. Now, in the transitional atmosphere of university politics, these disaffected groups are seizing the opportunity to stir controversy.
Yet Prof. Obi, a veteran academic and administrator, is not unfamiliar with such tactics. Her tenure has been marked by visible transformation and quiet excellence. Just two years into her administration, she earned the public praise of former Vice-Chancellor and immediate past Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu, for surpassing expectations in infrastructure and institutional growth. That commendation alone underscores the tangible achievements of her leadership.
Throughout her administration, Prof. Obi has taken full responsibility for the assets and liabilities she inherited. Rather than engage in blame games, she focused on resolving inherited challenges, such as program accreditation lapses that predated her appointment, with professionalism and discretion. Her approach has consistently been guided by institutional interest, not personal vendetta.
The Dentistry program controversy is the latest of such issues. Under Prof. Obi’s watch, the program secured full accreditation from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) in 2022 and from the National Universities Commission (NUC) in 2024. These milestones, though rarely highlighted by her critics, are clear indicators of her commitment to academic excellence.
In a recent interview with Channels Television, Prof. Obi addressed the situation with characteristic transparency, revealing that she has already engaged the Minister of Education and the MDCN to seek a sustainable resolution. “On my honour,” she stated, “I promise to see to the resolution of this problem. The buck stops on my desk; I take responsibility.”
Such candour is rare in today’s leadership. Rather than deflect blame or shift accountability, Prof. Obi has embraced the burden of leadership, even when it invites criticism. Unfortunately, political opportunists have misrepresented her openness, twisting her words to fuel misinformation for personal gain.
It is important to note that Prof. Obi is not in competition with anyone, past or future. Her mission is not about building a political dynasty but about strengthening the institution. Her consistent respect for her predecessors, including Prof. Zana Akpagu, and her quiet efforts to preserve the dignity of former administrations further affirm her principled leadership. Any failure by her predecessors to acknowledge this would only reflect poorly on them, not her.
As her administration winds down, it deserves to be evaluated with fairness and perspective. Prof. Florence Obi has led UNICAL with uncommon courage, competence, and compassion. Her stewardship has improved standards, secured accreditations, and restored dignity to the university’s image.
The ongoing attempts to discredit her are politically motivated, and the academic community must resist being drawn into this distraction. Her focus remains unshaken. She is finishing strong, and she deserves every commendation for it.
