Our History

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR INTERNATIONAL DEMONSTRATION SECONDARY SCHOOL (UCIDSS)

The University of Calabar International Demonstration Secondary School (UCIDSS) was founded on October 30, 1995, during the administration of the late Professor Richard Sule, the then Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar. Initially, the school was known as the University of Calabar International Secondary School (UCISS).

At its inception, the school had 101 students, comprising both males and females, and 10 teaching staff, including Mrs. Roseline Umozurike, Mrs. Nene Atim Okpo, Dr. Mercy Samuel Mfon, Mrs. Chinwe Ngozi Ileoje and Mr. Raphael Effiong, among others. The school also had 10 non-teaching staff members to include Mr. George Ben Bassey, Mr. Michael B. Agbor, Mr. Alphonsus G. Ekpenyong, Mr. Emmanuel U. Ekanem and Miss Eno Udo, among others.

In January 1997, the school relocated from Obufa Esuk to its permanent site, where it is currently situated, along UNICAL Hall 2 Road, Calabar.

Over the years, the school has undergone significant transformations. In November 2013, the school’s name was changed to the University of Calabar International Demonstration Secondary School (UCIDSS) to reflect its new status as a demonstration school for the Faculty of Education, University of Calabar now College of Education.

In January 2021, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Florence Banku Obi, established the Office of the Directorate of UNICAL Schools, with Associate Professor Genevieve Aglazor as the first Director.

In January 2022, the school was restructured into two separate entities: Senior Secondary School and Upper Basic School, in line with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) policy and Universal Basic Education (UBE) program. A new uniform was also introduced for the Upper Basic School.

The school has a rich history of academic excellence, having won numerous laurels and prizes in various competitions. The school has also represented Nigeria in international competitions, including those held in the United States, South Korea, Ukraine, and the Philippines.

Today, the school has a student population of over 1000 and a staff strength of 150, comprising both teaching and non-teaching staff.

It is interesting to note that the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) has made immense contributions to the success of this esteemed institution.

BOARD CHAIRMEN OF THE SCHOOL

1. Prof. A. O. Aboderin (Caretaker Chairman) -1995
2. Dr. (Mrs.) Julia Omang- 1996-2001
3. Prof. Daisy Nwachuku – 2001-2002
4. Prof. S. C. Uche – 2002-2004
5. Prof. O. I. Enukoha- 2004-2006
6. Prof. Jane Omojuwa- 2006-2008
7. Prof. (Mrs.) A. E. O. Esu -2008-2010
8. Prof. (Mrs.) Eno M. Ukpong- 2010- 2012
9. Prof. Florence Banku Obi -2012-2015
10. Prof. Chris Chukwurah- 2016-2018
11. Prof. S. I. Akpama-2018-2020
12. Prof. (Mrs.) Cecilia Ekwueme-2020 till date

DIRECTORS OF UNICAL SCHOOLS
1. Associate Prof. Genevieve Aglazor -2021-2023
2. Dr. (Mrs.) Theresa Akpama- 2023-2024
3. Dr. Benjamin Ambe- 2024 till date

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF UNICAL SCHOOLS

1. Dr. Benjamin Ambe – 2021-2024

PRINCIPALS OF THE SCHOOL

1. Mrs. Roseline N. Umozurike (1995-2000)
2. . Late Chief Julius Abang (Acting,2000-2001)
3. Dr. (Mrs.) Mercy Samuel Mfon (Acting, 2000-2001)
4. Lady (Dr.) Scholastica C. O. Ekere (2001-2006)
5. Lady Eme Eric Esin (2006-2011)
6. Dr. Kingsley Bekom Abang (2011-2017)
7. Dr. (Mrs.) Philomena Etta-Ekuri (2017-2022)

VICE PRINCIPALS OF THE SCHOOL

1. Dr. Alexander Essien Timothy (VP Academic)
2. Lady Ngozi Iloeje (VP Administration)
3. Dr. (Mrs.) Justina Eze (VP Academic)
4. Dr. (Mrs.) Franca Odigwe (VP Academic)
5. Raphael Effiong Effiong (VP Academic)
6. Late Elder Etim Ekong (VP Administration)
7. Dr. (Mrs.) Melvina Amalu (VP Administration)
8. Mrs. Ngozi Asomugha (VP Academic)
9. Mrs. Alice Eti-mfon (VP Administration)
10. Mr. Okon J. Okon (VP Academic)
11. Dr. (Mrs.) MJ Iheanacho (VP Administration)
12. Dr. (Mrs.) Henrietta Uchegbue (VP Administration)
13. Mr. Bassey Essang (VP Academic)
14. Dr. (Mrs.) Philomena Etta-Ekuri (VP Administration)
15. Prince Nkanu Edodi (VP Academic)
16. Mr. Martins Ropo (VP Administration)

SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL MANAGEMENT TEAM (2022- TILL DATE)

1. Mr. Martins Ropo – Principal
2. Mrs. Louisa Okpo – Vice Principal Administration
3. Mr. Edor Pius – Vice Principal Academic
4. Tom-Onabe, Grace Kaka (CNA)- Accountant
5. Mr. Akan Udo – Counselor
6. Mr. Ogar Ntui – Assistant Counselor
7. Mr. Daniel Takon – Administrator
8. Mr. George Eno & Mr. Aniekan Akpan – Examination Officers

UPPER BASIC SCHOOL MANAGEMENT TEAM (2022 TILL DATE)

1. Philemon Bebia – Principal
2. Mr. Patrick Enyia – Vice Principal Administration
3. Mr. Jerome Ashikem – Vice Principal Academic
4. . Tom-Onabe, Grace Kaka.(CNA) – Accountant
5. Mrs. Cecilia Bisong- Counselor
6. Mrs. Ogechi Okri- Assistant Counselor
7. Dr. Osim Ete-ubi Ibiang – Administrator
8. Mr. Echip Mkpa -Examination Officer

University of Calabar International Demonstration Secondary School offers all subjects approved by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council and Universal Basic Education.

The motto of the school is Excellence, Strength and Service