Located in the South-South of Nigeria, Cross River State is culturally rich and has great tourism potential and increasing strides in educational development. Due to the importance placed on education by the state, facilities of higher education are springing up.
There are several National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) recognized polytechnics for those interested in technical and vocational education in Cross River State. Whether you are a secondary school leaver looking for where to gain admission, or a parent looking for where to place your child, it is good to know all the polytechnics in Cross River State on the accreditation list.
This article shows the filtered list of the federal, state, and private polytechnics in Cross River State that have been accredited by the NBTE as at 2026.
The Polytechnics in Cross River State
Cross River State has a mix of federal, state, and private polytechnics. With the establishment of a federal polytechnic in 2021, Cross River state has made huge strides in the technical education sector.
As of 2026, the NBTE has 41 Federal Polytechnics, 56 State Polytechnics, and 96 Private Polytechnics on the list of those approved in Nigeria. Cross River State has polytechnics in all the three categories.
Federal Polytechnic in Cross River State
1. Federal Polytechnic, Ugep
| Detail | Information |
| Type | Federal Government-owned |
| Location | Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area, Cross River State |
| Established | 2021 |
| NBTE Status | Approved |
Federal Polytechnic Ugep is a public polytechnic located in Ugep, Cross River State. It is one of the polytechnics established by the Federal Government in each geopolitical zone in 2021.
The institution has two campuses: Campus 1 is located along Ugep-Ediba Road, Ugep, and Campus 2 is situated by the Calabar-Ikom Highway, Ugep
Official Website: fedpolyugep.edu.ng
State Polytechnics in Cross River State
2. Cross River State Institute of Technology and Management (CR-ITM), Ugep
| Detail | Information |
| Type | State Government-owned |
| Location | Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area, Cross River State |
| Established | 2012 |
| NBTE Status | Approved |
The Cross River Institute of Technology and Management (CR-ITM) is a state-funded technical institution along the Ikom-Calabar Highway in Ugep. It was founded in 2012 through a partnership established by the Cross River State Government and Highbury College, Portsmouth, UK. CR-ITM is part of a newly emerging model of transformational Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Cross River State.
School Fees:
Estimated school fees range from ₦45,000 to ₦75,000 per session, with an acceptance fee of ₦15,000.
Official Website: critm.edu.ng
3. Cross River State College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Obubra (Upgrading to Polytechnic)
| Detail | Information |
| Type | State Government-owned |
| Location | Obubra, Cross River State |
| Status | Being upgraded from monotechnic to polytechnic |
Significant developments in Cross River State’s technical education have included the elevation of the Cross River State College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Obubra, from a monotechnic to a polytechnic.
In October 2025, Governor Bassey Otu signed the Obubra (Amendment) Bill to upgrade the college by modifying the College of Agriculture Law.
NBTE Approvals:
In March 2026, approval for new programs was granted, including:
- ND Horticultural Technology
- HND Agribusiness Management
- ND Computer Science
- ND Hospitality Management Technology
- ND Forestry and Environmental Technology
This upgrade will allow the College to offer additional polytechnic-level programs.
Note on “The Polytechnic, Calabar”
Some sources include “The Polytechnic, Calabar” as a state polytechnic in Cross River State. However, the NBTE later confirmed that this institution is now the Cross River University of Technology. Prospective students are advised to check the current status of this institution.
Private Polytechnics Cross River State
Cross River State has several NBTE approved private polytechnics, which offer flexible academic calendars and are well equipped.
1. Nogak Polytechnic, Ikom (NOGAKPOLY)
| Detail | Information |
| Type | Private |
| Location | Ikom, Cross River State |
| NBTE Status | Approved |
Nogak Polytechnic, Ikom, widely known as NOGAKPOLY, is a private tertiary institution located in Ikom, Cross River State. The polytechnic is fully registered by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and offers National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes across various disciplines.
The institution is situated along Mile 2 Road, State Housing Area in Ikom
Official Website: nogakpolyportal.com
2. Sparrow Polytechnic, Calabar
| Detail | Information |
| Type | Private |
| Location | Calabar, Cross River State |
| NBTE Status | Approved |
Sparrow Polytechnic, located in Calabar, is a private polytechnic approved by the NBTE. The institution is recognized by the National Board for Technical Education and offers accredited programmes.
3. Diamond Polytechnic
| Detail | Information |
| Type | Private |
| Location | Cross River State |
| NBTE Status | Approved |
Diamond Polytechnic is listed as a private polytechnic in Cross River State. Prospective students should verify the specific location and current accreditation status with the NBTE.
4. Marpio Polytechnic
| Detail | Information |
| Type | Private |
| Location | Cross River State |
| NBTE Status | Approved |
Marpio Polytechnic is another private polytechnic operating in Cross River State.
5. Odaji Agbo Polytechnic, Ayeko-Yala
| Detail | Information |
| Type | Private |
| Location | Ayeko-Yala, Cross River State |
| NBTE Status | Approved |
Odaji Agbo Polytechnic is a private polytechnic located in Ayeko-Yala, Cross River State. The institution offers National Diploma (ND) programmes.
Summary Table: Polytechnics in Cross River State (2026)
| Institution | Type | Location | Year Established | NBTE Status |
| Federal Polytechnic, Ugep | Federal | Ugep | 2021 | Approved |
| Cross River State Institute of Technology and Management (CR-ITM) | State | Ugep | 2012 | Approved |
| Cross River State College of Agriculture, Science and Technology | State (Upgrading) | Obubra | — | In Progress |
| Nogak Polytechnic, Ikom (NOGAKPOLY) | Private | Ikom | — | Approved |
| Sparrow Polytechnic | Private | Calabar | — | Approved |
| Diamond Polytechnic | Private | Cross River | — | Approved |
| Marpio Polytechnic | Private | Cross River | — | Approved |
| Odaji Agbo Polytechnic | Private | Ayeko-Yala | — | Approved |
Admission Requirements for Polytechnics in Cross River State
To gain admission into any polytechnic in Cross River State—whether federal, state, or private—candidates must meet the following general requirements:
- Minimum of 5 Credit Passes: You must have obtained a minimum of five credit passes in relevant subjects for your course of study, including English Language and Mathematics, in not more than two sittings.
- JAMB UTME Score: You must score up to the minimum required cut-off mark for the institution and course of your choice to be eligible to participate in the post-UTME screening exercise.
Satisfying these criteria would automatically grant you eligibility status for applying for admission.
How to Verify NBTE Accreditation
To confirm that a polytechnic is genuinely approved by the NBTE:
- Visit the official NBTE digital portal at www.digitalnbte.nbte.gov.ng/Public/PUCVEIs
- If using a mobile phone, switch to desktop mode (a PC is better for viewing)
- Click on “Please Select Category” and select “All Institutions”
- Click on “Retrieve”
- When the full list appears, use the search bar and enter “Cross River” to bring up all accredited institutions in the state
Warning: The NBTE has reiterated that any list not from the official website is fake. Candidates should not message or pay anybody on WhatsApp, Facebook, or any other platform to get the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many polytechnics are in Cross River State?
Cross River State has a federal polytechnic, two state polytechnics, and a number of private polytechnics. Federal Polytechnic, Ugep; Cross River Institute of Technology and Management, Calabar; and several others like Nogak, Sparrow, Diamond, Marpio, and Odaji Agbo Polytechnics are some of them.
Is Federal Polytechnic Ugep accredited by NBTE?
Federal Polytechnic Ugep is among the NBTE-accredited Federal Polytechnics in Nigeria.
Is CR-ITM accredited by NBTE?
Cross River State Institute of Technology and Management (CR-ITM) is accredited and recognized by the NBTE.
Are there private polytechnics in Cross River State?
There are NBTE-approved private polytechnics in Cross River State like Nogak Polytechnic, Ikom; Sparrow Polytechnic, Calabar; Diamond, Marpio, and Odaji Agbo Polytechnics.
What is the JAMB cut-off mark for polytechnics in Cross River State?
It differs from institution to institution. The JAMB UTME cut-off mark for ND programmes in CR-ITM is 100. It is best for candidates to contact the institution for information regarding the cut-off marks for the programmes they seek.
Is the Cross River State College of Agriculture becoming a polytechnic?
The Cross River State College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Obubra is undergoing a transition to a polytechnic. The law to effect the upgrade was passed in October 2025.
Conclusion
Cross River State offers quality technical and vocational education through its NBTE-approved federal, state and private polytechnics. Federal Polytechnic Ugep, established in 2021, is the first federal polytechnic in the State.
The Cross River State Institute of Technology and Management (CR-ITM) continues to provide technical education with its NBTE-accredited programmes.
The ongoing upgrade of the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology in Obubra to a full polytechnic promises to further expand educational opportunities in the state.
For students seeking admission in 2026, it is crucial to verify the accreditation status of any institution through the official NBTE portal before applying. Always rely on official sources for accurate and up-to-date information.
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