Nnamdi Azikiwe University Staff Accused of Admission Fraud

A staff member of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has been accused of collecting money from a parent in exchange for admission.

The university’s spokesperson, Louis Njelita, said on Saturday that Kenneth Nnaji, who works in the Registry Department, allegedly took ₦400,000 from the mother of a prospective student with a promise to secure her child a place in the Faculty of Medicine. The arrangement was later changed to Nursing Science.

According to the university, the woman reported the matter to the acting vice-chancellor after Mr Nnaji stopped taking her calls. He admitted to the allegation when confronted in the presence of senior officials, including the Chief Safety Officer and Chief Legal Officer. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi reiterated that admission into the institution is free and stated that the matter had been referred to the disciplinary committee.

UNIZIK has previously dealt with similar cases. In 2023, 14 staff, including lecturers, were suspended over alleged fraud, while the Nigerian Senate also opened an inquiry into admission racketeering in tertiary institutions.