By Tata Mbunwe
The Minister of Higher Education, Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo, has waded into an escalating conflict between the University of Buea (UB) and ICT University, ordering the founder of the private institution, Prof Victor Mbarika, to issue a formal apology over accusations made against UB authorities.
In a statement dated February 23, 2026, addressed to the Vice-Chancellor of ICT University, Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo warned that Prof Mbarika could face disciplinary measures if the “unruly attitudes” persist.
The Minister’s intervention follows statements made by Prof Mbarika in a private memo sent to the Prime Minister last year, concerning the certification of PhD program by the University of Buea. The memo, dated October 16, 2025, was leaked on social media early this month, prompting a stern response from the University of Buea.
In a recent interview with My Media Prime, Prof Mbarika reinforced his claims by allegeding that UB officials, particularly Vice Chancellor Prof Horace Ngomo Manga, were frustrating the certification of ICT University PhD graduates out of envy and personal vendetta.
Ministry Issues Strong Warning
In his statement, Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo emphasized that “administrative tolerance should never be misconstrued as a sign of weakness or as tacit acceptance of illegality.”
The Minister said ICT University has been running certain academic programs in violation of Cameroon’s higher education regulations.
He said if accusations against the University of Buea persist, the proprietor “shall be summoned before the Ethics and Evaluation Commission for formal hearing followed by sanctions.”
He also noted that the ministry will dispatch a team to ICT University to verify compliance with previous calls to order, stating that “no institution is above the law.”
He instructed ICT University Founder to “immediately issue a formal apology to the University of Buea” for “false and unfounded accusations.”
The dispute centres on the certification of PhD programmes at ICT University, a prestigious private institution, under a partnership agreement signed in 2023 with the state-owned University of Buea.
Prof Mbarika accused UB officials of frustrating its PhD graduates despite the existing partnership.
However, a statement signed by the UB Vice Chancellor on February 24 maintains that the partnership was limited only to the certification of Master’s and Bachelor’s degree programmes.
UB Vice Chancellor Prof Horace Ngomo Manga stated they will not be bullies, blackmailed or intimidated into honouring a partnership they insist does not exist at the PhD level.
Prof Ngomo Manga threatened to cancel the existing partnership if the ICT University founder did not refrain from making accusations against UB.
Mbarika Doubles Down
Rather than backing down, Prof Mbarika escalated the confrontation in his recent interview with My Media Prime, dismissing the threats from UB as “nonsense” and declaring he does not care.
“These are the type of wrong people the government gives power to,” he said, referring to the UB Vice Chancellor.
“They have their personal vendetta against the person of Victor Mbarika and they are bringing it between two institutions. How does that help these young people? They are the ones that need appointments, not me,” he added.
He argued that the dispute was personal rather than institutional and was harming students who await certification of their qualifications.
As of now, Prof Mbarika has not issued the apology, three days since it was demanded by the Ministry.
