ELDER (DR.) ONOFIOK ANDREW UFOT, MNI: A HOPE WADDELL LEGACY AND PIONEER REGISTRAR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR
Onofiok Andrew Ufot, mni, was a distinguished Nigerian educationist and administrator and a notable alumnus of Hope Waddell Training Institution. Born in Calabar on 6 September 1927, he was of Afaha Akpan Ekpo, Etinan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. He was admitted into the Normal College of Hope Waddell in 1945, where he studied from 1945 to 1947.
In 1949, he proceeded to the University College, Ibadan, where he studied until 1953 and obtained a B.A. (London). His education was subsequently complemented by specialised professional training, including International Computation in Rome (1965–1966), at the IBM Education Office in San Francisco (April–August 1969), and at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Jos, in 1980. He obtained a B.A. (London) from University College, Ibadan, in 1953.
Ufot began his professional career as a school teacher, serving from 1948 to 1963. He also served as Principal of Ibiono Teachers’ College in 1960 and Principal of Nsit People’s Grammar School, Afaha Ofiong, from 1962 to 1963. He subsequently joined the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Yaba, Lagos, where he worked in examinations administration. He was appointed Assistant Registrar in 1963 and promoted to Senior Assistant Registrar in January 1965. By March 1971, he had risen to Examinations Controller/Deputy Registrar. As Examination Controller, had zero tolerance for examination malpractices. Hence, malpractice during WAEC was reduced to the barest mininum.
In July 1972, he moved to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he served as Deputy Registrar until June 1976. In July 1976, he joined the newly established University of Calabar as Acting Registrar and was appointed Registrar in October 1976, becoming the university’s pioneer Registrar. He served in that position until 1985, contributing significantly to the establishment and development of the university’s administrative structures.
After his retirement from the University of Calabar, he was appointed as the pioneer Federal Public Complaints Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State by President Ibrahim Babangida.
Ufot’s contribution to higher education has continued to receive institutional recognition. In March 2025, the Senate of the University of Calabar approved the renaming of its former Registry Building in his honour, recognising his contribution to the growth and development of the university.
Elder (Dr.) Onofiok Andrew Ufot, mni, died in 2015. His distinguished career—from classroom teacher and school principal, through WAEC examinations administration and university administration, to becoming the pioneer Registrar of the University of Calabar—represents a significant chapter in the history of Nigerian education and university development.
He is an induction-nominee of the Hope Waddell Hall of Fame and Museum.