Nineteen years after its relocation to a permanent site, the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) is finally being fenced — a move the government describes as crucial for security and to prevent land encroachment.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, announced that Enugu State has committed approximately ₦1.4 billion to fence the Agbani campus, located in Nkanu West Local Government Area. He said the project would not only protect university property, but also help restore confidence that has been eroded by years of insecurity.
“Once fenced,” Okolie told university stakeholders, “we will be able to mount and safeguard critical infrastructure — offices, laboratories, residences — which we have hesitated to fully develop because their security could not be guaranteed.”
A Bit About ESUT
Enugu State University of Science and Technology, often just called ESUT, has its roots as the Anambra State University of Technology (ASUTECH), founded on July 30, 1980. It was Nigeria’s first state university dedicated to science and technology. In 1991, following the creation of Enugu State from the old Anambra State, the university was renamed ESUT.
The main campus sits on over 800 hectares in Agbani, within the Nkanu West area. The university operates three campuses overall – Agbani, its Enugu campus, and a College of Medicine.
ESUT offers a broad mix of academic programs through multiple faculties: Engineering, Natural Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Law, Management, Social Sciences, Education, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and more. Under Prof. Okolie’s leadership — he was appointed VC in 2022 — the university has prioritized institutional strengthening.
One notable achievement: in 2025, ESUT secured full accreditation for its programs in Law, Engineering, Science, and other faculties from the National Universities Commission. According to the VC, this recognition reflects both the state government’s investment and the university’s renewed commitment to academic excellence.
Another recent development is the Information & Communication Technology Centre (ICTC) on campus, built in partnership with NNPC and Shell Nigeria. The centre includes computer labs, smart boards, Wi-Fi lounges, and infrastructure to support computer-based testing — all of which enhance ESUT’s digital capacity.
Why Fencing Matters
The decision to fence the campus responds to long-standing security gaps. For years, some staff housing units built by the government remained unoccupied due to concerns for safety. The fence, Okolie says, would restore the university’s dignity and enable fuller utilization of its facilities.
This project aligns with Governor Peter Mbah’s broader strategy to reposition the university. In addition to funding the fence, his administration has invested heavily in renovating labs, including nursing and midwifery facilities.
As fencing work begins, the ESUT community is hopeful that the institutional gains will follow — a safer campus, better-protected assets, and renewed momentum for academic growth.
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