A source has revealed to Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) that lecturers in Nigeria universities demand for bribe from students before their names are sent to law schools.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid victimisation, lamented how Nigeria could condescend to such corrupt level in all establishments, including the education of its future generation.
The source disclosed that graduating university students are mandated to pay between two million and three million Naira.
The monies are generally paid to the university administration or authorities.
Afterwards, their names will be sent to Law School for the mandatory one year advanced course.
According to him, that is the reason why some students will graduate from university without going to law school.
That is usually because their parents could not afford the humongous sums demanded as bribes.
The source lamented: “Interestingly, the money is required to be paid in full before one could go to law school.
“Upon graduation from Law School, one could then be addressed as lawyers after one year training in the institution.
“All the universities in Nigeria must add CORRUPTION to their names.”
More Reactions
Another source, who also reacted on condition of anonymity, noted: “We don’t need more universities to be built.
“Rather, many research institutes are needed.
“They should be built and developed to start researching on how to build vehicles, deep freezer and fridges, etc.”
“Our universities invented as stereotypes many decades ago without means of developing them.
“Instead of upgrading them, we are ranking number one to ten in the world for corruption.
“Even our government officials are allowed to use forged certificates to contest elections.”
Another concerned Nigerian observed: “Even the Department of State Security (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other institutions are corrupt too.
“Otherwise, why could drug related politicians and forgers of university degree certificates be in high government offices?
“Corruption is seriously setting us backward in all government establishments.
“All three arms of the government are corrupt, and our operatives are not doing anything to eliminate them but rather support them.”
Admissions Racketeering in UNIZIK
A lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, when contacted, declined to comment on the matter.
He, however, provided a document issued by UNIZIK, from the Directorate of Information and Public Relations in a related case of racketeering.
The document, dated September 4, 2025, being a press release, actually confirmed “admissions racketeering” in the varsity.
Entitled “UNIZIK AVC Cracks Down On Admissions Racketeering, Staff Member Nabbed“, it confirmed that a lecturer demanded and collected four hundred thousand Naira to secure admission for a prospective student.
The statement, signed by the Acting Head of Information, Public Relations/Protocol Officer, Mr. Njelita Louis, reads:
“The Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Prof. Carol Chinyelugo Arinze-Umobi, has cracked down on admissions racketeering within the institution.
“A staff member of the Personnel Unit (Statistics), Registry Department, Mr. Nnaji Nnamdi Kenneth, was accused of collecting the sum of four hundred thousand Naira (N400.000) only from a prospective student’s mother, promising to secure admission for her son into the Faculty of Medicine.
“However, the deal was later renegotiated for admission into Nursing Science.
“The Woman, who made the payment, reported Kenneth’s actions to the Acting Vice-chancellor after he stopped picking her calls.
“When confronted, Kenneth admitted to his actions in the presence of the Chief Safety Officer, Mr. Ken Chukwurah, Chief Legal Officer, Rev. Fr. Maurice Izunwa, and the University’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Njelita Louis.
“Professor Arinze-Umobi reiterated the university’s policy on admission, emphasizing that “ADMISSION IS FREE”.
“The matter has been referred to the appropriate disciplinary committee, and the university community awaits the outcome.
“This decisive action is seen as 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.”
National Universities Commission Reached
DDM reached out to the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Yusufu Abdullahi Ribadu.
NUC was established in 1962 as an advisory agency in the Cabinet Office and in 1974, it became a statutory body.
It is a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Education with the duty of overseeing the activities of universities in Nigeria.
Unfortunately, Prof. Ribadu but has yet to respond to DDM’s enquiry at the moment of this publication.
