Tuesday September 8, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng

After nearly 35 years of acrimony, the University of Uyo (UniUyo) and its host community, Use Atai, have finally ended their longstanding dispute, with both sides committing to a new era of cooperation, security and development.

The landmark reconciliation was reached on Monday, during a high-level peace meeting at the office of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Christopher Nyong Ekong, involving the university management and representatives of surrounding host communities.

The breakthrough is particularly significant because previous efforts to resolve the dispute had failed, leaving successive administrations to contend with disagreements over access, boundaries, community interests and protection of university property.

The latest intervention has, therefore, been described by community leaders as a major turning point, with dialogue now expected to replace the mistrust and confrontation that had characterised relations for decades.

Leading the community delegation and serving as mediator, Chief Kenneth Ekponudim Ntong, LL.M, identified two key issues requiring urgent attention as part of the peace process: the provision and improvement of an access road and the resolution of the boundary dispute between the university and surrounding communities.

Ntong explained that the demands were not intended to reopen old wounds but to address some of the underlying issues that had fuelled disagreements over the years.

He urged the university management to give serious consideration to the concerns, stressing that lasting peace would be better consolidated when the root causes of past disputes were addressed through dialogue and mutual accommodation.

According to him, the communities were ready to regard the university as a development partner and work with its authorities to advance the interests of both the institution and the people living around it.

He said the communities were also prepared to support the university’s security efforts, protect its property and discourage criminal elements from using the surrounding communities as a platform to perpetrate crimes.

Ntong further stressed that community cooperation would be critical in preventing encroachment on university land, while legitimate concerns of the host communities could be resolved through dialogue rather than confrontation.

Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Christopher Nyong Ekong, described the reconciliation as a historic moment for the University of Uyo and an important foundation for its future development.

Ekong acknowledged that the dispute had persisted across several administrations, sometimes creating an environment that was not conducive to the relationship expected between a university and its host communities.

He said the university was not interested in sustaining confrontation with its neighbours but in building partnerships founded on communication, mutual respect and shared responsibility.

While stressing the university’s commitment to protecting its land and institutional assets, the Vice-Chancellor said management was equally prepared to listen to legitimate concerns of the communities and seek constructive solutions.

On the issues raised by the delegation, Ekong announced plans for a follow-up meeting with community leaders to deepen discussions and consolidate the peace agreement.

He said the university needed host communities that would identify with its development, protect its interests and contribute to its peace and security, just as the institution had a responsibility to ensure that its presence generated opportunities, knowledge and development for surrounding communities.

The Vice-Chancellor linked the reconciliation directly to the university’s pursuit of academic excellence, noting that a peaceful and secure environment was essential for teaching, research, innovation, infrastructure development and institutional growth.

Also present at the meeting was the Chief of Staff to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aniefiok Ukommi.

The Village Head of Use Atai, Eteidung Christopher Effiong Ekeso, welcomed the reconciliation and pledged the community’s cooperation with the university.

Ekeso said the community had chosen peace because prolonged conflict could serve neither the interests of the people nor the university. He described the institution as an important neighbour and development partner whose success would have positive implications for the surrounding communities.

The Village Head assured the university authorities that community leaders would work with management to preserve the peace and would not ignore activities capable of threatening the university’s security or property.

The Village Head of Anua Offot, Eteidung Linus Bassey Inyang, witnessed the proceedings, while the Chairman of Use Atai Village, Elder Joseph Effiong Akpan, also pledged support for the emerging peace arrangement.

The Secretary of Use Atai Village, Obong Pastor Sylvanus Augustine Akpan, emphasised the need for continuous communication between the community and university authorities.

Other members of the delegation included Obong Paulinus Essien Ekpe, Family Head; Udung Udo Abasi Inyang; and Obonganwan Lucy Etuk Udoh.

The parties agreed that the new peace must translate into a sustainable relationship anchored on security, prevention of crime, protection of university land and property, peaceful resolution of future disputes and support for development initiatives.

The agreement is also expected to strengthen community participation in safeguarding students, staff, visitors and university infrastructure by improving the identification, discouragement and reporting of criminal activities around the institution.

For the University of Uyo, the reconciliation represents more than the resolution of an old dispute. It offers an opportunity to reset its relationship with its immediate environment and create a new social compact in which the university and its host communities recognise that their futures are closely interconnected.

Royal Father, Eteidung Christopher Effiong Ekeso, Village Head of Use Atai, stated that the coming together is a new beginning for Use Atai and the University of Uyo.

“We have chosen peace because there is nothing our community can gain from continued confrontation with an institution that is also part of our environment.

“Our commitment now is to work with the Vice-Chancellor and the university authorities to protect this peace, safeguard university property and ensure that any future disagreement is resolved through dialogue. We believe that when the university succeeds, the host communities should also feel the impact of that success.”