The Cross River State Government has reaffirmed its ownership and administrative authority over the College of Nursing Sciences, Ogoja, declaring that the institution remains wholly owned and operated by the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, PhD, stated this on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the Ministry of Health Headquarters, Calabar, when he received the Chairman and members of the Governing Council of the college to review ongoing institutional and administrative matters.
Ayuk said the government’s position on the ownership and administration of its medical training institutions was clear, stressing that institutions could only operate with formal recognition and approval from the government.
“That school is owned totally by the government. The position of government is clear: the policy across the entire country is that you cannot establish a school without formal recognition and approval by the government,” the Commissioner said.
He, however, said the government was not opposed to private-sector participation in its investments, but stressed that such participation must respect the government’s ownership, regulatory and administrative authority over state institutions.
“We are not afraid of the participation of the private sector in all our investments, but it is important that they realize that fact,” Ayuk added.
The meeting followed a courtesy visit by the leadership of the college’s Governing Council, which sought clarification and direction from the Ministry over emerging administrative issues concerning the institution.
The Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Mrs. Teresa A. Osaji, said the council considered it necessary to engage the Ministry following correspondence from the Catholic Diocese expressing an intention to assume control of the institution.
“We decided to come and see the Commissioner because of the issue bothering us in the college regarding correspondence from the Catholic Diocese expressing an intent to assume control of the institution,” Osaji said.
She explained that, as public servants, the council members considered it important to verify their administrative standing with the state government, which owns and operates the college, and determine the appropriate way forward.
The meeting also had in attendance the Provost of the college, Dr. Fuyiko Oking; Chairman of the Cross River State Branch of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Mrs. Josephine Bassey; and governing council members Prof. Idang N. Idang, Dr. Rex U. Obo and Simon Eje Bisong.
By Kingsley Agim
