Ongoing Student Extortion at College of Health Technology Calabar Despite Government Orders

In defiance of a clear directive from the Cross River State government, staff at the College of Health Technology, Calabar, are allegedly continuing to impose unauthorized financial demands on students.

Roughly two weeks earlier, the Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, took a firm stance against illegal charges reported at the Ogoja College of Nursing Sciences, categorizing the practice as a severe breach of ethical and governmental trust.

This response followed the widespread circulation of a viral video on social media platforms, which appeared to expose blatant student extortion, with no formal receipts or proof of payment being issued.

Public reaction was swift and widespread, with numerous parents, students, and members of the public expressing serious concern and demanding prompt intervention.

Responding to the uproar, Dr. Ayuk issued a strict directive demanding the immediate suspension of all unapproved levies in all health institutions within the state. He also called for full refunds to be made to students who had already paid such illicit fees.

The Commissioner, visibly angered by the discovery, further announced the formation of a panel of inquiry to investigate the extent of the malpractice and ensure accountability among the offenders.

He strongly advised that any academic institution involved in these unethical practices should cease all such actions and promptly refund affected students.

However, investigations conducted at the College of Health Technology, Calabar, reveal a concerning disregard for the Commissioner’s directive.

Reports from students participating in ongoing National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) examinations claim that lecturers are coercing them into paying between ₦10,000 and ₦15,000 per course to secure passing grades. Non-compliance allegedly results in failing the course.

Further information indicates that students are being forced to purchase handouts or textbooks authored by specific lecturers — materials many say they had already acquired in previous sessions.

Some of the students, speaking to LMSINT MEDIA, disclosed that despite multiple complaints lodged with the institution’s leadership and departmental heads, the situation remains unresolved.

One student recounted a recent encounter where a lecturer demanded ₦15,000 per student, threatening them with academic failure if the fee was not paid.

“This is outright exploitation. We’ve paid our tuition and other official fees, including departmental charges, yet we’re being compelled to make extra illegal payments that we simply cannot afford,” one student lamented.

“We are over 50 in our class. Multiply that by ₦15,000 and you realize the sum going into a private pocket—much more than a lecturer’s monthly salary. Some of us are taking a stand. We will not pay. We refuse to be intimidated.”

Another student, a female, alleged that many lecturers rarely attend scheduled lectures but still demand bribes to secure favorable grades.

“The level of corruption here is just unbearable,” she said.

Reacting to these allegations, Dr. John, a senior staff member from the Office of the Provost, denied that the institution officially sanctioned such practices.

“The school is not aware of these allegations, nor has it endorsed any such illegal acts,” he stated.

“Our policy has always been against all forms of extortion. I believe the institution will launch an inquiry into these claims.”

• BBC on Education Corruption in Nigeria