By Solomon OKPO
UYO, In the sprawling landscape of Nigerian academia and public service, few individuals have left as diverse and enduring a mark as Professor Christopher Nyong Ekong, popularly known as “Hotrico.” Born on October 25, 1967, at the height of the Nigerian Civil War, in Kaduna, Ekong’s life has been a testimony to resilience, adaptability, and excellence across multiple fields.
A native of Uyo Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, Professor Ekong’s academic journey began in 1972 at St. Patrick’s Primary School, Iboko Offot, Uyo, before completing at UNA Primary School, Etinan, following a series of family relocations tied to his father’s career in the civil service. He proceeded to Etinan Institute and later completed his secondary education at Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Four Towns, Uyo.
In 1984, he gained admission to study Economics at the then University of Cross River State (now University of Uyo), earning a B.Sc. in 1988. His academic pursuit continued with a Master’s degree in Money and Banking from the University of Port Harcourt in 1992. By 1993, he joined the academic staff of the University of Uyo and completed his PhD in Economics in 2001 under the mentorship of the renowned economist, Professor Akpan Hogan Ekpo.
Professor Ekong’s academic portfolio is richly complemented by decades of impactful consultancy work. Between 1995 and 1998, he served in multiple roles for international and national organizations including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Living Earth, Statoil, and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). His research and field expertise in rural credit, socio-economic development, and environmental assessments were widely sought after.
Transitioning into public service, Professor Ekong was appointed Commissioner in the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission in 2001 by then Governor Victor Attah. His footprint in government expanded when he served as Special Adviser on Youth and Culture, Commissioner for Youth and Sports (2003–2007), and later, Commissioner for Economic Development and Chief Economic Adviser under Governor Godswill Akpabio. He also chaired several state-level committees, including those on moribund industries and urban transportation.
In 2017, his contributions were further recognized with his appointment to the Governing Council of the National Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER) by President Muhammadu Buhari.
A man of perpetual learning, Professor Ekong has enhanced his credentials globally, obtaining certifications from institutions such as Harvard University, NIPSS, and Hetta International Development Centre, New York. He is also a trained mediator and conciliator, adding a conflict resolution edge to his already multifaceted profile.
Within the University of Uyo, his academic leadership has been visible and influential. He has served as Head of the Department of Economics, Director of International Programmes, and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. His 73rd inaugural lecture, provocatively titled “Benefit Capture”, “Aspirin Solutions”, and “Corruption” in Nigeria’s Quest for Development”, cemented his status as a thought leader in Nigeria’s economic development discourse.
Yet, his story would be incomplete without football—the sport that once vied with academia for his attention. As a teenage footballer, he captained the Cross River State U-19 YSFON team and was invited to the national U-19 squad for international tournaments in Denmark and Norway. A missed opportunity due to academic commitments became a defining moment that reinforced his lifelong focus on education.
Despite the forfeited football dream, he remained a passionate player and later, an administrator. He played for Jetimo FC, captained the University of Uyo team, and led All Stars Football Club as International President. Between 2003 and 2008, he also chaired Akwa United Football Club.
True to his reputation as a “practical economist,” Professor Ekong has made significant personal contributions to academic infrastructure. In 2006, he donated ten desktop computers to his department and, in 2008, constructed a classroom block comprising four lecture rooms and seven en-suite offices for faculty members.
A family man, he is married to Idaresit and blessed with children. Recently, at the 2025 birthday celebration of Her Excellency Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, wife of the Senate President, Ekong was publicly introduced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio as a contender for the Vice Chancellorship of the University of Uyo—a subtle yet telling endorsement.
Whether the academic titan known as “Hotrico” ascends to the helm of his alma mater remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Professor Christopher Ekong’s life journey is not just a chronicle of achievements, but a blueprint for visionary service, intellectual rigor, and unshakable commitment to community development.
