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 (₦400,000) 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 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.