UNICROSS Becomes First Nigerian University To Train Engineering Artisans Under NATE MoU
The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has achieved a national milestone by becoming the first Nigerian university certified to train technologists and engineering artisans, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE).
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The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has achieved a national milestone by becoming the first Nigerian university certified to train technologists and engineering artisans, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE).
This was confirmed on Thursday, September 11, 2025, when the National President of NATE, Rt. Hon. Engr. Dominic Udoatan, led a delegation of the Association on a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor of UNICROSS, Prof. Francisca Bassey, at her office in Calabar.
Engr. Udoatan, himself an alumnus of the former Polytechnic Calabar, now UNICROSS, congratulated Prof. Bassey on her substantive appointment as Vice Chancellor and commended Governor Bassey Edet Otu for approving her leadership. Describing her as “a square peg in a square hole,” he expressed confidence in her ability to deliver on the university’s mandate.
The NATE President explained that the artisan training programme would be 90 percent practical and 20 percent theory, with successful graduates to be registered by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). He stressed that the initiative would not only produce self-employed individuals but also future employers of labour capable of competing globally. “Signing of the MoU for artisan training is a milestone. We are ready for the exercise,” Udoatan affirmed.
In her response, Prof. Francisca Bassey expressed delight at the collaboration and pledged full support from the university’s management. She emphasized that the vision of UNICROSS aligns with practical skill acquisition that prepares learners for self-employment in a challenging job market. She further revealed plans to expand training into other entrepreneurial areas such as fashion, photography, and design.
The delegation also admitted Prof. Bassey as a Fellow of NATE, with a formal inauguration scheduled to take place alongside the Governor of Lagos State during the Association’s 2025 Annual General Meeting in Lagos. The team presented the NATE curriculum, students’ log book, and diary to the Vice Chancellor.
The visit concluded with the signing of the visitors’ register, exchange of gifts, and group photographs.
