By Chinedum Treasure
University lecturers have decried rising cases of admission racketeering in higher institutions across Nigeria, describing the trend as a threat to educational standards and national development.
The concerns were raised in Onitsha during the 2026 Feast of Barracuda Lectures themed, “Admission Racketeering in Higher Institutions, Values, Institutional Suicide and the Death of a Nation.”
Prof. Tochukwu Okeke of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University said admission racketeering includes selling admission slots to less qualified candidates, manipulation of merit lists and allocation of slots to politicians and privileged individuals.
He warned that the practice is gradually eroding the value of university certificates and lowering academic standards.
Also speaking, Dr. Charles Ajaegbu of Paul University described admission fraud as a moral and institutional crisis capable of producing unqualified graduates in critical sectors such as medicine, engineering and law.
He called for increased government funding, establishment of more quality institutions and promotion of merit-based admissions to curb the menace.
President of the Seadogs Onitsha Chapter, Engr. Benjamin Agbala, said the lecture was part of efforts to promote justice, transparency and public awareness against corruption in the education sector.
Tags: Admission racketeering, tertiary institutions, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Paul University Awka, Onitsha, education corruption, university admissions, Chinedum Treasure, Anambra news, Nigeria education sector
