In a far-reaching media statement by the prominent civil Rights advocacy Group; HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA), has lamented that the once reputable beacon of academic excellence, the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has deteriorated into an institution plagued by alleged systemic corruption, administrative inefficiency, and an alleged blatant disregard for the welfare of students and staff. Investigations reveal a troubling pattern of alleged malpractice across various departments, raising urgent concerns about accountability and governance.
In a media statement endorsed by the National coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA has called on the National University’s Commission(NUC), the Federal ministry of Education, the Independent corrupt practices and other related offences commission (ICPC), to take immediate, comprehensive, concrete and transparent steps to investigate a range of troubling issues that were brought to our attention by education stakeholders which should be confronted by these aforementioned law enforcement and regulatory agencies to save that hitherto respected federal ivory tower in Calabar.
HURIWA’S attention has been called to the following allegations namely:
- Monetization of Services: A Culture of Extortion
One of the most glaring issues at UNICAL is the alleged brazen commercialization of essential services. Staff within the postgraduate school, particularly in the accounts office, Turnitin office, and unit heads, allegedly demand bribes to process necessary academic documents. Students report being forced to pay arbitrary fees for services that should be free, such as result verification, thesis submissions, waiver approvals, and vetting fees. Many of these exploitative practices occur without the knowledge of the administration, yet they persist unchecked.
Adding to the financial strain on students are frequent and unjustified fee hikes. Since the appointment of the current Vice Chancellor, both undergraduate and postgraduate fees have increased annually. A particularly egregious example is the compulsory ₦105,000 fee allegedly imposed on PhD graduands for academic gowns in 2025—a staggering 110% rise from ₦50,000 in 2024. Reports suggest that the contract for these gowns is linked to a high-ranking university official, raising serious concerns about conflicts of interest.
UNICALCON, the university’s consultancy unit, has further exacerbated this issue by introducing arbitrary charges for services such as staff ID cards and certificate verification. These services, traditionally offered at no cost or minimal fees in other institutions, have been transformed into profit-driven ventures, burdening students and staff alike.
- Alleged admission Racketeering: Education for Sale
Admission into highly competitive programs such as Law, Medicine, and Nursing has allegedly become a transactional affair, where spaces are sold to the highest bidder. This pay-to-enter system undermines meritocracy and perpetuates inequality, allowing wealth to determine academic opportunities rather than intellectual ability.
- Alleged chaotic Exams: A Matter of Life and Death
UNICAL’s exam management is not only allegedly inefficient but has also allegedly proven fatal. In 2023 and 2024, poorly organized GSS and CHM 101 exams allegedly led to stampedes, resulting in student deaths and numerous injuries. Overcrowded examination halls, inadequate planning, and the absence of emergency response measures have created an unsafe environment for students. These avoidable tragedies expose the institution’s gross negligence and failure to prioritize student safety.
- Insecurity: A Campus Under Siege
Security on campus has reportedly reached an alarming low. Offices are alleged to be frequently burglarized, with sensitive documents and valuable equipment stolen, yet little is allegedly done to address these incidents. Staff and students live in fear of kidnappings and other criminal activities, while the administration allegedly continues to downplay the severity of the situation. The absence of concrete security measures or transparent investigations into these incidents further fuels distrust in the university’s leadership.
- Alleged cronyism Over Accountability
UNICAL’s leadership allegedly appears more interested in protecting allegedly corrupt officials than enforcing accountability. A notable example is a former Academic Staff Union chieftain accused of embezzling millions of naira, who was later appointed to the university’s Governing Council instead of being investigated and if found guilty, then prosecuted and sanctioned in compliance with the due process of the law. This alleged pattern of rewarding alleged misconduct fosters a culture of impunity, discouraging whistleblowers and entrenching corruption. This very scandalising allegation demands urgent intervention and resolution.
- Staff Welfare: Sacrificed for Profit
While student fees skyrocket, staff members reportedly face stagnating honorariums, delayed promotions, and withheld back pay. UNICAL now has the highest tuition fees among universities in Nigeria’s South-South and South-East regions, surpassing institutions such as the University of Port Harcourt, the University of Uyo, the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and Alex Ekwueme University. Despite these rising costs, little is done to improve working conditions or invest in academic excellence, further alienating dedicated staff members.
- Overstaffing Without Productivity
UNICAL’s administrative workforce has allegedly ballooned in size, yet productivity remains dismal. A recent staff audit was conducted, but its findings remain concealed from public scrutiny, raising suspicions of manipulation or cover-up. Many non-teaching staff reportedly idle away without contributing meaningfully to the institution, further straining its already inefficient system.
Silencing Dissent: A Culture of Fear
The university’s information unit often allegedly engages in damage control whenever criticisms arise. While the issues raised in this petition sent to us in HURIWA are widely known and verifiable, HURIWA learnt reliably that the fear of persecution prevents many from speaking out. Those who dare to expose corruption and inefficiency allegedly face threats, victimization, and punitive actions, reinforcing a cycle of silence and impunity.
A Call for Reform
The unprecedented alleged decay at UNICAL demands urgent intervention. Regulatory bodies such as the National Universities Commission (NUC) and anti-corruption agencies must launch independent investigations to address the alleged systemic rot if verified. Students, staff, and alumni must document and report abuses, while lawmakers and the public must apply pressure to hold the administration accountable.
We in the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) once more emphasise that ducation is a fundamental human right, not a commodity. We believe that until the relevant academic and non-academic authorities in tertiary institutions prioritize transparency, accountability, and student cum staff welfare, the reputation of most of the nation’s ivory towers will remain tarnished, and these institutions will continue making headlines for all the wrong reasons. A stitch in time, saves nine. We call for a very transparent investigations of these allegations that our attention was called to by lovers of the education sector.
*Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko
National Coordinator
HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA). 02/03/2025.
