• HURIWA blows whistle, demands probe of UNN, UNIZIK, calls NUC, JAMB, Education Ministers to explain silence; urges ICPC to move against alleged admission merchants

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised the alarm over disturbing allegations of an admission racket in some South-East universities, where desperate candidates are reportedly being exploited and allegedly charged between N1.5 million and N4 million to secure admission to study Medicine and Surgery.

HURIWA described the allegations involving the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) as a potential national scandal that must not be swept under the carpet.

The association demanded an immediate, independent and far-reaching investigation by the Federal Government, warning that if the allegations are established, those responsible must be exposed, prosecuted and removed from positions of influence.

How did medical admission become a marketplace where money allegedly speaks louder than merit?

HURIWA said it was particularly disturbing that young Nigerians who spend years preparing for university entrance examinations could allegedly be denied admission despite impressive academic performances, while candidates with lower scores reportedly find their way into highly competitive medical programmes.

The association cited a disturbing account circulated by Alex Onyia, who questioned alleged exploitation of prospective medical students at UNN, claiming that candidates were being asked to pay between N1.5 million and N4 million to secure admission.

Another account attributed to a parent alleged that a candidate who scored 315 in UTME and obtained excellent O’level grades was denied admission to study Medicine and Surgery at UNIZIK and instead offered Biochemistry.

According to the account, the candidate reportedly discovered after resumption that some students with UTME scores of 250, 270, 280 and 300 had secured admission into Medicine and Surgery.

The parent said the candidate subsequently rewrote JAMB, scored 270 and gained admission to study Medicine and Surgery at a university in Northern Nigeria without allegedly knowing anyone or paying anyone to facilitate the process.

HURIWA said these allegations, although yet to be independently verified, raise fundamental questions about the integrity of medical admissions and the credibility of the institutions involved.

WHERE ARE THE NUC AND EDUCATION MINISTERS?

The association expressed outrage over what it described as the apparent silence of the National Universities Commission and the Federal Ministry of Education in the face of allegations capable of undermining the credibility of Nigeria’s university system.

HURIWA asked whether the regulatory authorities would wait until the allegations degenerate into a full-blown national scandal before taking action.

It insisted that the NUC must not remain a ceremonial regulator while allegations of financial manipulation and admission racketeering threaten the integrity of university education.

The association also challenged the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to investigate discrepancies between candidates’ academic performances and admission outcomes in the affected institutions.

ICPC MUST NOT WAIT FOR PETITIONS

HURIWA called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to commence discreet investigations immediately rather than wait for formal complaints to land on its desk.

It urged the commission to examine the admission records of UNN and UNIZIK, identify possible intermediaries, investigate alleged financial transactions and establish whether university officials or external networks are involved.

The association further demanded a broad-based Federal Government investigation to identify the individuals behind any admission manipulation and ensure that anyone found culpable faces prosecution and appropriate disciplinary sanctions.

HURIWA also called for the establishment of nationwide NUC-JAMB monitoring task forces to conduct periodic checks on admission processes, particularly in highly competitive programmes such as Medicine and Surgery.

A DANGEROUS ASSAULT ON THE FUTURE OF NIGERIA’S HEALTHCARE

The association warned that the alleged commercialisation of medical admissions, if proven, would amount to more than an educational scandal.

It would raise serious concerns about the integrity of the process through which Nigeria selects and trains its future doctors.

HURIWA asked what would happen to public confidence in the medical profession if admission into medical schools became accessible to those with money and connections rather than candidates who meet established academic requirements.

The association warned that Nigeria cannot afford to turn medical education into a marketplace where wealthy candidates allegedly buy opportunities while academically qualified but less privileged students are pushed aside.

HURIWA insisted that university admission must be governed by merit, transparency and clearly defined academic standards, not alleged financial inducements, political connections or clandestine arrangements.

The association therefore challenged the Federal Government, NUC, JAMB and ICPC to act decisively.

“The authorities,” it said, “must investigate, expose and prosecute anyone involved if these allegations are established. Nigeria’s medical schools must not become trading centres for admission slots.”