The Growing Trade of Academic Extortion in Cross River Colleges

At the College of Health Technology, Calabar, students are no longer only worried about passing their examinations. They are now fighting a silent war against lecturers allegedly demanding thousands of naira to “sort” courses or face failure.

Despite a recent order from the Cross River State Government to stop all illegal charges in state-owned health institutions, reports from the school reveal that extortion is still in full swing. Students in both the National Diploma and Higher National Diploma programmes report being asked to pay between N10,000 and N15,000 to lecturers, especially during examinations.

“We have already paid our school and departmental fees,” a student, who asked not to be named, told The Sunday PUNCH. “Now we are being asked to pay N15,000 to pass one course. In our class alone, we are more than 50. Imagine how much that lecturer will collect!”

According to her, refusal to pay means risking failure. She also claimed that some lecturers hardly attend classes but still insist that students must pay to pass. “It is corruption at its peak,” she said.

Two weeks ago, the Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, issued a stern warning after a viral video showed students at the Ogoja College of Nursing Sciences being extorted by staff. He condemned the act as “a betrayal of government standards” and ordered an immediate refund of all illegal levies across health institutions in the state.

He also promised to set up a panel of inquiry to fish out the culprits. Nevertheless, his directive has been ignored.

An official at the Calabar school, Dr John, denied knowledge of the extortion. “The school has always warned against any illegal charges,” he said. “If such is going on, it is not with the school’s blessing.”

However, many students disagree. They say complaints to school heads and departments have fallen on deaf ears. “It is as if the authorities are shielding the lecturers,” one male student alleged.

Education experts warn that this culture of extortion is detrimental to the country’s healthcare sector. “If students can pay to pass, then we are producing unqualified health workers,” said Prof. Bassey Udoh, an education consultant. “These are people who will one day handle people’s lives in hospitals. It is a ticking time bomb.”

A parent, Mrs Eno Umoh, also expressed deep worry. “I am already struggling to pay my daughter’s fees. Now she tells me she has to pay extra to pass. What kind of society are we building?”

To address the issue, experts have called for more decisive action. “The government must make examples of corrupt lecturers,” said human rights lawyer Barr. Ekanem Okon. “Set up a hotline for anonymous student reports. Also, rotate lecturers and involve independent examiners.”

Education is meant to shape the future, not sell it. If Cross River and, indeed, Nigeria must move forward, schools must become centres of learning, not marketplaces of extortion. The time to clean the system is now, before the rot becomes irreversible.