Ekott University: We are making progress, says founder

Ubong Creativity David

The founder of Ekott University, a private university located at Ikot Udota in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Emmanuel Ekott, has stated that the university is making progress towards the commencement of academic session.

He revealed that Ekott University is one among the approved private universities in the country by National University Commission, NUC, expressing optimism that out of the 14 stages required for commencement of the university, they are reached stage 8, signifying progress.

Speaking with this reporter during a private tour of the institution, Dr. Ekott hinted that he started the university project since 2015, saying huge resources have been expended in the project to achieved the success recorded so far.

He disclosed that the university is sited on 101.986 hectares of land, exceeding the 100 hectares as required by NUC for approval of any university in the country. He further revealed that the university at the initial stage will commenced academic session with 18 programmes and 3 faculties respectively.

Dr. Ekott, who is also the founder of Heritage Polytechnic Eket, said he will be a fulfilled man when pioneer students of the citadel of learning graduated with their certificate, maintaining that he is not investing in the school to make profits but to provide opportunities for knowledge acquisition and create jobs.

He also disclosed that Heritage Polytechnic presently employed about 300 staff, maintaining that the university will double triple the number of staff compare to the Polytechnic.

“As at 2018, the total amount I invested in the project was N1.8billion. From then till now compare with the cost of building materials, you can see that huge resources have been invested in the project.

“I am not investing in the school to make profits. I can’t recover the total amount of money I have invested throughout my lifetime, but the legacy that will be left behind will stand the test of time. At the first graduation ceremony where students received their certificates, I will be a fulfilled man.

Ekott University is the first private university in Eket Senatorial District. There are physical structures in the school including a massive 3 storey building for different department, laboratories, library and administrative blocks. The school will soon commence academic session after the final inspection by NUC.