Get Guardian on GoogleA staff member of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, has been accused of soliciting money from a prospective student’s parent in exchange for securing admission into the institution’s Faculty of Medicine.
Kenneth Nnaji, who works in the Personnel Unit (Statistics) of the university’s Registry Department, reportedly collected N400,000 from the mother of the applicant.
According to the university spokesperson, Louis Njelita, the payment was initially intended for admission into the Faculty of Medicine, but was later renegotiated for the Faculty of Nursing Science.
“The woman, who made the payment, reported Kenneth’s actions to the acting vice-chancellor after he stopped picking her calls,” Mr. Njelita said. Upon being confronted by senior university officials, including Chief Safety Officer Ken Chukwurah and Chief Legal Officer Maurice Izunwa, Nnaji admitted to the allegations.
The university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi, reiterated that “admission is free,” underscoring the institution’s policy against financial inducements in student recruitment.
Mr. Njelita confirmed that the matter has been referred to the appropriate disciplinary committee, with the outcome awaited by the university community.
“This decisive action is seen as a welcome development, and it is hoped that it will serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to engage in similar acts of corruption,” he added.
UNIZIK has a history of addressing internal fraud. In 2023, the university suspended fourteen staff members, including lecturers and non-academic personnel, over allegations of financial impropriety. At least five lecturers were indicted for extortion, and one was dismissed for using a student to extract money from others.
Admission racketeering remains a persistent challenge across Nigerian tertiary institutions. In November 2023, the Nigerian Senate initiated investigations into alleged admission-related fraud nationwide, highlighting the systemic nature of the problem.
