UNICAL Seeks Wilmar Partnership to Boost Agriculture, Student Training
By Benjamin GBOR
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, has called for stronger collaboration with Wilmar Nigeria to expand agricultural research, practical training and opportunities for students.
Offiong made the call when members of the Wilmar Nigeria Higher Education Community Scholarship Board and company management visited the university's Council Chamber to present 43 scholarship beneficiaries for the 2025/2026 academic session.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Linkages and Collaboration, Prof. Anthony Egrinya Eneji, the vice-chancellor commended the company for supporting students from its host communities through its scholarship scheme and providing industrial training opportunities.
He said the scheme had supported more than 86 students since 2012, covering programmes such as Medicine, Law, Public Health, Education and Environmental Sciences.
Offiong said the university was ready to work with Wilmar in areas of shared interest, particularly agricultural production, research and skills development.
He disclosed that UNICAL's plan to acquire between 100 and 150 hectares of land for agricultural purposes could provide an opportunity for both parties to work together.
Under the proposed arrangement, Wilmar could purchase produce from the university's farm, while the plantation would serve as a practical training ground for students and agricultural officers. It could also provide raw materials for production and strengthen the impact of the company's scholarship programme.
The vice-chancellor urged the scholarship beneficiaries to remain focused on their studies and work towards academic excellence.
Also speaking, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Ekaete Enang, called on the scholarship board to establish a system for monitoring beneficiaries' academic progress.
She stressed the need to maintain accurate student records, including matriculation numbers, to track performance and identify those facing academic difficulties. She also urged the board to ensure that the scholarships went to students who genuinely needed and deserved the support.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Wilmar Community Scholarship Board, Prof. Arikpo Arikpo, said the board included representatives of the university, the company and host communities.
He explained that the visit was to formally present the 43 beneficiaries for the new academic session and ensure proper management of their school fees and monitoring of their academic performance.
The Senior Manager of the Wilmar Scholarship Board, Mr Steven Ebong, said the company's operations covered oil palm, rubber, sugar cane and citrus, alongside partnerships in agro-processing.
Ebong noted that the company needed skilled professionals, including engineers to maintain its trucks and road infrastructure, as well as agricultural engineers to manage its plantations.
He said developing local expertise would reduce the cost of training personnel and improve the company's operational efficiency.
