There was tension on Wednesday at the University of Cross River State (Unicross) as frustrated graduates took to the streets to protest the institution’s prolonged delay in releasing their academic results one year and two months after completing their studies. The affected graduates described their situation as “abandonment, betrayal, and outright excommunication” by the university management.
The peaceful protest, which drew dozens of aggrieved students, centred on the continued shutdown of the university’s results portal, a problem they say began last year and has remained unresolved despite repeated appeals. Many of the graduates expressed deep worry that the lingering issue has stalled their ability to process clearance, obtain certificates, apply for NYSC mobilization, or pursue employment opportunities.
Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards, the protesters called on the university authorities to immediately reopen the portal and fast-track the release of their results. They lamented that their academic progression, career prospects, and personal plans had been put on indefinite hold due to bureaucratic bottlenecks and what they termed “administrative silence.”
Some of the protesters who spoke with The Nigeria Education News said they had exhausted all internal avenues for resolution, including visits to departmental offices, the registry, and student affairs. “For over 14 months, we’ve been in darkness. No updates, no timelines, nothing,” one of the graduates said. “We feel like we don’t exist.”
As the protest gained traction, the students urged the Cross River State Government, the university’s Governing Council, and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to intervene before the situation escalates or leads to wider unrest. They stressed that the ongoing delay has placed them at a severe disadvantage compared to their peers in other institutions.
At the time of filing this report, the university management had not issued an official response to the protest or provided reasons for the prolonged shutdown of the results portal. However, the students vowed to continue their peaceful demonstrations until their demands are met and their academic futures restored.
The situation remains fluid as stakeholders monitor reactions from the school authorities.
