By Obike Ukoh.
(C) Google.
In years past, all things being equal, when a student enters a university, the graduation date is on the calendar.
But not now, especially in public universities and other public tertiary institutions.
This development, was indeed before now, not part of Nigerian universities’ culture. In years past, before the general dislocation of the academic calendar, mobilization for the compulsory one year National Service, was fixed for the first week of August and second batch April of the following year.
The implication is that, tertiary institutions with prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), must present lists of eligible candidates, before the deadline .
This dramatic dislocation and uncertainties on the dates of graduation, pose a lot of financial burden on parents, while the students grapple with frustration.
If the delays are as a result of industrial action by unions in the universities, it would be understandable. But the current delays, now endemic in public universities has nothing to do with strikes, but now linked to late computation of results, among others.
Indeed, many stakeholders have spoken out against these avoidable delays in issuing students their final degree results, while in many cases, students took to the streets to present their case.
The worry of students is that they cannot participate in the NYSC scheme, without a degree certificate issued by their various institutions.
Also, those about 30 years of age, risk not participating in the scheme, if for any reason there is a delay of up to one year.
The Imo State House of Assembly, recently debated on this issue and berated tertiary institutions over the delay.
Mr Henry Agbasonu, the member representing Ezinihete State Constituency, in his motion, adopted by the House, called on Governor Hope Uzodinma to establish administrative policy to ensure prompt release of results.
The lawmaker stated that non-release of results at the appropriate time has resulted in many people not getting any employment because of the non-availability of certificates to show that they really studied that particular course.
He further stated that lack of immediate issuance of certificates delayed many students who wanted to further their academic career in other institutions or desire to participate in the NYSC programme.
“Such delays have continued to prevent many of our youths from studying in such institutions either for undergraduate or postgraduate programmes and it has continued to fester corrupt tendencies, where people intentionally make things difficult for others in order to rip them off.”
The lawmaker stressed that management teams of tertiary institutions in the state, should be compelled to ensure that their graduating students are no longer subjected to undue delays in the processing and release of statement of results, transcripts and certificates.
Mr Abia Onyike, former Commissioner for Information in Ebonyi, who spoke on the issue, lamented that the problem is recent, as it was not so during the time he was in the university.
Onyike blamed the universities of being responsible for some of the delays.
According to him, in some instances, especially in the highly sought after courses, universities admit more than the quota given to them.
“ For instance, some universities admit over 300 students into their law faculty, while they were given 150 as quota.
“ Towards the period of graduation, many students must be dropped so as to meet the quota for law school admissions.
“ Another related factor is the corrupt practices by some lecturers who extort money from or misuse their powers to unjustly hold student to ramsome,’’ Onyike noted.
The ex-Information Commissioner, said that these dubious actions, including commercialization of academic activities, contribute to the elongation of students’ period in the universities, if they cannot meet up financially.
Onyike, also a former Deputy National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), also stressed the need to strengthen the academic records section in Nigerian universities.
“ Sometimes, delays are caused because of missing results of students. As a result, the correct CGP cannot be computed, thereby punishing the students for the inefficiency of the authorities.
“ This should not be so, competent personnel should be deployed to check this to ensure timely and correct computation of examination results,’’ Onyike emphasized.
Mr Stephen Akabuokwu Okocha, a retired federal civil servant, who spoke on the issue, lamented that this delay is a recent development.
According to him, in the 1980s, one entering a tertiary institution, baring any challenges, already knows the exit date from the university.
“ Institutions in Nigeria, then compete and maintain time and faith with their undergraduates.
“ Final year students’ results, especially that of second semester were given priority over other, bearing in mind that they were to join others from other institutions of higher learning for the compulsory one year National Service.
“ Gone is such glorious day. Nowadays, students will complete their academic activities and projects and wait in their parents’ houses for two or three years for their results to be finalized,’’ Okocha lamented.
He said that the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Assembly and other stakeholders, should intervene to address the issue.
Okocha stressed that timely intervention is necessary, as students that opted for private universities, still graduate seamlessly.
He said that for now, the country cannot be said to be cultivating or pursuing academic excellence, as national agenda.
“Pay your school fees, complete and go home and stay indefinitely at limbo, is now the order of the day, Okocha regretted.
Is necessary for critical stakeholders to act and change the narrative, as it was not so from the beginning. All the obstacles should be removed to enable students graduate seamlessly as is the practice all over the world.
