Aggrieved students of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) have made allegations of unbridled extortion by the head of the Department of Political Science of the institution.
The students, particularly the post-graduates, had taken to social media to allege that they were forced to pay money, ranging from N500, 000 to secure the topic for their final thesis; N100,000 to build a toilet for the head of department in his office, among others.
They said the lecturer usually extorted them through a proxy he appointed for them as class representative.
One of the students on X, wrote that the Department of Political Science of the university “has a system for extortion of money from hapless students in postgraduate studies.
“Imagine, a PG student, those of us in PhD, coughing out #100k to the HOD in the name of building a toilet in his office. This money is collected by proxy, only in cash.
The proxy, otherwise known as class rep, chosen by the HOD and imposed on the class, would pass down information and cow the class members not to speak.
“Besides the #100k, another #35k is levied to sort lecturers and host the HOD and PG coordinator of the Dept.
“Still, the students are being told to brace for a #45k deal per seminar presentation. And, the big one, they must part with #500k to secure the topic for their final thesis.’’
“I would have kept the cool and dropped from the programme but as Soyinka said, the man dies that keeps mute in the face of oppression. Many of my class members can’t afford these payments and as a media figure, it’s cowardice on my part to keep quiet or simply withdraw”.
But, reacting to the allegations, the management of the university vowed that it would conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations in that department and urged the affected students to cooperate with the process by providing evidence that would aid in identifying the culprits.
In a statement by its Acting Public Relations Officer, Dr Okwun Omeaku, UNN management noted that the institution prohibits extortion of its students, whether at the postgraduate or undergraduate level.
“The institution upholds stringent ethical standards for its faculty and students and promptly addresses any reports of extortion or other illicit activities involving any of its staff.
“Postgraduate students at UNN are required to pay their tuition fees each academic session, as well as the external examination fees towards the conclusion of their programme. These payments are to be made directly into the University’s Treasury Single Account (TSA), and official receipts are issued at the Bursary section of the College of Postgraduate Studies.
“The UNN management will conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations of extortion in our Department of Political Science. We urge the affected students to cooperate with the process by providing evidence that will aid in identifying the culprits.
“The Management of UNN is dedicated to protecting our students from the misconducts of a few bad eggs”, the statement said.
It, however, encouraged the students to first report their grievances to the university administration through the appropriate communication channel established to safeguard the complainant.