The University of Calabar, UNICAL, has warned its faculties and institutes against charging former students fees for the collection of their degree certificates, declaring that the process is free.
The university’s Directorate of SERVICOM said it had received numerous complaints from former students, particularly prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, who were allegedly compelled to pay between N16,000 and N45,000 to collect their certificates.
In a memo dated October 4, 2026, and signed by the Director of SERVICOM, Prof. Bassey Oben, the directorate said the alleged charges were being imposed by Faculty Officers at the point former students signed for their certificates.
Oben described the practice as unacceptable, warning that Deans and Directors of Faculties and Institutes would be held personally accountable for any illegal charges imposed on students under their supervision.
“Let me reiterate here for the avoidance of doubt, that COLLECTION OF CERTIFICATES IN UNICAL IS FREE, therefore Deans and Directors will be held personally accountable for anything otherwise,” he said.
According to him, the alleged extortion was particularly regrettable because it could leave former students with a negative final impression of the university after completing their studies.
“It is unfortunate that the only memory that we leave in the minds of our former students is that of extortion, even at the last point of their exit from the University,” he said.
The SERVICOM director further warned that the university would no longer tolerate what he described as illegal collections, saying the directorate would begin publishing the various amounts allegedly being charged by faculties and institutes under the guise of certificate collection.
“Those concerned should be ready to account for these illegal collections. It certainly cannot be business as usual!” Oben warned.
