- PG Students Allegedly Forced To Pay N .5 million For Final Thesis Topics
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-graduate ones, had taken to social media to allege that they were routinely forced to pay series of monies, ranging from N500, 000 in order to secure the topic for their final thesis; N100,000to build toilet for the head of department in his office among others.
They disclosed that the lecturer usually extorted them through a proxy he appointed for them as class representative.
One of students on X, wrote that the Department of Political Science of the university “has a system for extortion of money from hapless students in post graduate studies.
“Imagine, a PG student, those of us in PhD coughing out #100k to the HOD in the name of building toilet in his office. This money is collected by proxy, only in cash.
The proxy, otherwise, 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 up for #45k deal per seminar presentation. And, the big one, they must part with #500k in order to secure the topic for their final thesis.
“I would have kept the cool and dropped from the program but as Soyinka said, the man dies that keep 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 of extortion 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 issued by its acting Public Relations Officer, Dr Okwun Omeaku, UNN management noted that the institution strictly prohibits any form of extortion of its students, whether at the postgraduate or undergraduate levels.
“The institution upholds stringent ethical standards for both 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 program. 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.
